Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Restaurants approach level 2 with hope and caution

Rotorua businesses are opening at alert level 2 with hope and caution.

All of New Zealand, except Auckland, moved to alert level 2 at 11.59pm yesterday. Auckland will remain in level 4 until at least September 14.

Businesses and services can open at level 2 but must follow public health rules such as a 50-person limit for indoor venues. People must keep a record of wherever they visit, follow physical distancing measures and are encouraged to wear face coverings whenever they are not eating or drinking.

Herbs and Spice Thai Restaurant manager Nussara Pokhasuck hopes level 2 is a step closer to normal.

"Having only takeaways has been very slow," Pokhasuck told the Rotorua Daily Post.

"I'm looking forward to going down [alert] levels. Hopefully, everything can get back to normal soon."

Herbs and Spice Thai Restaurant manager Nussara Pokhasuck. Photo / Andrew Warner

Pokhasuck has been working at the restaurant for more than 10 years. She says she appreciates the support of local customers.

"I've got lots of regular customers. Everyone is really nice. They always ask what is going on and how the business is going."

Pokhasuck said the most important thing was for people to look out for each other. For her, that is what the restaurant is all about.

"I really enjoy it. I love serving customers and seeing people talking with each other."

Pig and Whistle and Capers Cafe owner Gregg Brown said the 50-person limit would not pose a problem for his two establishments.
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"I think that bit's all right because we can create quite a nice atmosphere by closing tables and adding pot plants at Capers. The Pig and Whistle is a big venue anyway so we can spread people out."

However, Brown did not think many people would be out in level 2.

"I'm guessing a bit but I don't think this new level 2 is going to send people out. I can't imagine it being much fun for people."

Pig and Whistle and Capers Cafe owner Gregg Brown. Photo / File

Brown said it might have been preferable to stay in Level 3 and then move more quickly to level 1.

"If we're not going to be seeing that many people and we're limited and we've got no wage subsidy then it really doesn't work for hospitality."

Tauranga's Oscar and Otto co-owner Catherine MacLoughlin said she was busy on Tuesday morning spacing out the tables. "We have got our premises split into two so we will be able to accommodate everyone nicely."

Although MacLoughlin didn't think the 50-person limit or the social distancing would be a problem there were other downsides to the new level 2.

"The single server compliance is an extra labour cost for us that does make it complicated and expensive."

MacLoughlin said the number of people in Tauranga who continued to work from home in level 2 could also have an effect on Oscar and Otto.

"I don't know how busy it will be with most of the corporates still working from home. That is a concern for us and it does have an impact on our business."

But MacLaughlin said overall the level change has "not been too much of a drama".

"We have had a few trial runs of doing this and we kind of do know what we're doing.

"It's exciting to be able to open again and to see people. We're really looking forward to that."