"And because we only allow a maximum of eight customers in to shop at one time you don't have people breathing down your neck."
She said they were also being supported by three local bakeries, Pantry d'Or, Guidough's Bakery, and Bread Asylum, which deliver fresh bread supplies to the store.
"They deliver their bread to our back door in Amohau St so deliveries are as contactless as we can make them.
Vetro Rotorua Mediterranean Foods store owner Jen Meban says she's operating during the lockdown with the support of three local bakeries. Photo / Andrew Warner
"We sell everyday food essentials plus hard-to-find ingredients for all those keen cooks who find time on their hands during the lockdown. We're also licensed to sell wine, beer and cider."
Pantry d'Or Boutique Bakery owner Loren Cudd said since they began operating contactless deliveries this week, the response had been "quite overwhelming".
Fresh bread was delivered to Vetro Rotorua three days this week and they started home deliveries to rural parts of the district yesterday.Cudd said within days of posting a message on their Facebook page they sold out of everything baked in their Ranolf St store for their Friday and Saturday deliveries.
Pantry d'Or Boutique Bakery co-owners Loren Cudd and partner Fred Saleib, who is also the head baker, flank Loren's mother, Cathie Cudd. Photo / Supplied
This included deliveries in Hamurana, and Kaharoa on Friday and also to customers in Ngakuru and Waikite Valley today, she said. "We've been completely overwhelmed [with orders] and blown away in the best possible way.
"It has been quite outstanding for us ... It also amazes me how ingenious some people have been to keep their business going since the lockdown.
Some of Panty d'Or Bakery's tasty goods ready for delivery. Photo / Supplied
"From hard times comes inventiveness it seems ... Because Rotorua is a small town people are more prepared to support each other to get through the lockdown."
Food Monster greengrocer on Lake Rd Rotorua was also open, as the store was classified under the same rules as a supermarket, store manager Surinder Pal said.
Pal said customers were "very happy" and grateful they were still operating as the nearest supermarket was 3km to 4km away in Fairy Springs.
"Our customers have to pick up their orders as it is very hard for us to make deliveries as we only have three staff, including myself."
Pal said they followed the strict Covid-19 rules including ensuring customers wore masks used hand sanitiser and contact tracing before customers entered the store.
"So far we have only had to turn away two customers who refused to wear a mask because they were anti the lockdown."
The manager of Liquor Barn Lynmore, who asked not to be named, said their two stores had taken a "big hit", particularly after having to go into lockdown with only a few hours' notice to prepare.
"We have been operating contactless deliveries since Tuesday and so far we have not been inundated with orders but, hopefully, that will pick up in the coming days.
In terms of a call for a blanket ban on contactless alcohol deliveries due to potential social harm, the manager said he preferred not to comment.
Other Rotorua liquor outlet owners and managers approached either said they were too busy to talk or declined to comment.
A Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise spokesman said businesses and individuals were responsible for compliance with the rules for operating at alert level 4.
"It is up to businesses to check whether they meet the definition of being an alert level 4 business or service. If anyone is unsure whether they meet that criteria the most up-to-date guidance is available on our website.
"We expect businesses to comply as these rules are about reducing the risk of transmission in the community.
"Having too many businesses operating during alert level 4 increases the odds of transmission with workers moving in and out of their home bubbles."
The ministry spokesman also said if someone believed a business was not sticking to the rules, they could report it at www.covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/covid-19-compliance.
A police spokeswoman said as of 5pm on August 25, Bay of Plenty police staff had completed 317 business premises lockdown checks across the region.
