Much of the country was a hive of activity with businesses preparing to open on Wednesday under alert level 2.
All of New Zealand outside of Auckland moves to level 2 at 11:59pm on Tuesday, while the super city remains in level 4 until at least next week.
In Christchurch, several businesses are in full preparation mode, but many are still trying to work out the new rules and how to apply them - including Riverside Market.
"We're sitting having a meeting trying to work out what level 2 Delta is and how that impacts us and the numbers and what you call Riverside. Is it a food hall, is it a retail outlet, is it a restaurant?" says Richard Peebles.
"We feel it's a bit overdue but it's fantastic and the majority of our tenants can actually start making money again now," adds Mike Percasky.
Hairdressers have been rubbing their own heads about what they can and can't do under the new restrictions.
"So we're putting together some guidelines so that it helps the businesses so they still operate but do so safely," says Hair and Barber NZ spokesperson Niq James.
It will be a good welcome back for those who want to work out in a gym on Wednesday, while gym owners are working out a plan for having less than 50 people kept two metres apart.
"Larger scale gyms, the capacity issue is something they're going to be very conscious of and they might hit that 50 person capacity very quickly," says Matty Lovell of Anytime Fitness.
But the eve of Delta alert level 2 is a good place to be.
"I'm looking forward to the shops opening up," one person says.
"I'm looking forward to Thursday when the kids go back to school," another says.
As of Wednesday, you can hit the slopes, or even head over the hill from Christchurch to Akaroa.
The streets there on Tuesday were quiet and restaurant owners were apprehensive.
"Our restaurant only really holds about 50 inside, but with the distancing between tables it means we can only fit maybe just over half of that," says business owner Chris Barker.
It may not be business as usual, but it is business.
