Alert Level 3 Information for Food Businesses

Business Government NZ has released new guidance about workplace activities at different alert levels.

Frequently asked Questions

1. I operate a retail store. What do the different alert levels mean for me?

At Alert Level 3, you can sell any goods to customers by phone/online order and contactless delivery or collection. You cannot open your physical retail storefront to customers unless you are a supermarket, dairy or petrol station. Customers can also collect goods through drive-through or contact-less pick-up, such as click and collect, instead of delivery.

2. What are the specific rules for supermarkets, dairies and petrol stations at the different alert levels?

Dairies can remain open at all alert levels. At Alert Levels 3 and 4, customers can only go into dairies on a one-in-one-out basis.

At Alert Level 3, prepared food and drink can be bought and sold, but cannot be consumed by customers onsite.

3. When will restaurants, bars and cafes open?

At Alert Level 3, they can sell prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages by contactless delivery and collection (including drive-through).

4. Will restaurants, bars and cafes be able to supply alcohol under Alert Level 3?

Most liquor licenses for these premises require alcoholic beverages to be consumed on-site, and are not allowed to be taken away. These laws remain the same under Alert Level 3.

5. What counts as a drive-through? Can a store take phone orders and deliver the goods to people parked nearby?

Drive-throughs include already established facilities (such as at fast food outlets), and temporary drive-throughs (such as ones set up in retail car parks). Businesses can only use or establish drive-through facilities if they can meet the public health requirements. This would include physical distancing, only accepting contactless payment methods wherever possible, and contact tracing.

For example, a caf can allow phone-based ordering and payment, and then deliver the food or drinks to a customer parked in their car park in a way that avoids contact.

Temporary drive-through facilities should only be established where it is appropriate. Businesses should ensure they have the necessary permits and operate any drive-through safely.

6. Can takeaway booths serve pedestrian-only customers?

Takeaway booths can operate if they meet public health guidelines (e.g. physical distancing).

For example, a coffee booth may accept online or phone-based orders and place coffees on a table for customers to collect. This should only be done if their physical environment allows for sufficient physical distancing by customers.