The Government has provided further clarification as to what New Zealand businesses can remain open during the coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown.
Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) Deputy Chief Executive Paul Stocks said the purpose of escalating New Zealand's COVID-19 alert level to 4 was to stop the virus in its tracks and reduce contact between people.
"That's why we need as many businesses as possible to close their premises now if our one shot at beating the virus is to be successful," Stocks said.
"Only the businesses absolutely essential to ensure the necessities of life, like supermarkets and pharmacies, can stay open. If in doubt, the business premises should be closed
On Tuesday night, MBIE confirmed dairies can stay open with a "one in, one out" policy.
"If any dairy breaks the rules, we will shut it down," Stocks said.
"If there is evidence of systemic abuse, we will remove them from the essential services list."
The Warehouse will not be allowed to open, despite the company saying it would.
"Unfortunately the Warehouse needs to close its shops. Leaving them open to the general public creates too high a risk of further spreading the virus," Stocks confirmed.
Mitre 10, Placemakers, and Bunnings do get exemptions - but to trade customers for essential purposes only.
"These retailers play an important part in the construction supply chain, but they cannot sell goods to the general public," said Stocks.
Stocks said every "restaurant, café and bar must close all aspects of their operation, including delivery."
Clarification on essential services:
- Dairies to stay open, with "one-in one-out" rule
- Food delivery prohibited, except meals on wheels and delivery of food not pre-cooked
- Liquor stores closed, unless within a Licensing Trust Area and with "one-in one-out" rule
- Self-service laundries can stay open, two-metre physical distancing to be enforced
- Retirement villages included as an essential service
- The Warehouse to close stores to the public
- Bunnings, Placemakers, Mitre 10 and other retailers essential to the supply chain for building and construction can stay open to trade customers for essential purposes only
- The Tiwai Point smelter exempt from closure
NZ Steel shut down in a way that allows for production to recommence easily - Pulp and paper plants to shut down non-essential elements in a way that allows for production to recommence easily while maintaining essential production.
