The services sector recovered in September after Covid restrictions in August, but it is still in decline. The Performance of Services Index (PSI) found overall activity in Otago and Southland’s services sector in September was at 44.6 points, up from 34.2 in August. A PSI reading above 50 indicates services are generally expanding and below 50 that they are declining. The services provided to the construction sector had been busy, whereas tourism was still recovering from the Auckland Covid-19 lockdown. Tourism businesses were busier after Auckland moved to Alert Level 2 at the end of September and had hoped for a strong school holidays turnout.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 19, 2020 15:33 UTC