Following Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement on Saturday evening that Auckland will return to Level 3 for a minimum of seven days, and the rest of New Zealand to Level 2, here is a reminder of what the COVID-19 restrictions mean for your liquor or hospitality business.
Level 2 Guidelines:
- Bars and clubs outside Auckland must operate the 3 S’s – seated, separated and single servers – with a limit of 100 people in the venue at all times.
- Multiple groups of 100 are allowed provided they are in separate ‘defined spaces’ and there is no mingling of people between the different spaces (including in common areas) (see below information on defined spaces).
- Records must be kept to enable contact tracing for workers and customers, but there is no longer a requirement to record physical addresses.
- Ordering and collecting food and drinks at the counter is allowed for non-licensed premises only, provided that physical distancing is maintained.
- Ordering and collecting food and drinks at the counter is not permitted at bars or other licensed premises.
- Liquor stores may remain open with a limited amount of customers in the store at any one time.
Level 3 Guidelines:
- Hospitality businesses can operate under Alert Level 3 for contactless delivery and pick-up (including drive-through) of pre-prepared food and beverages ONLY. Customers cannot enter your premises.
- Businesses must take health measures to keep their workers safe – maintain physical distance between workers, recording who is working together, limiting interaction between groups of workers, disinfecting surfaces, and maintaining high hygiene standards.
- People are still instructed to stay home unless for essential personal movement. Essential personal movement is for activities such as accessing local services and businesses, recreation or work and school.
- Liquor retail stores (excluding supermarkets) can be open only for contactless purchase and delivery, such as drive-thru or click-and-collect. No customers are permitted inside the store or to place orders at the entrance/door.
For more information about Workplace Operations at COVID-19 Alert Levels, click here.
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