The Shout Magazine (New Zealand)

What Alert Level 3 means for your liquor or hospitality business

Following Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement that all of New Zealand below the Auckland boundary will return to Level 3 from midnight tonight, August 31, here is a reminder of what the COVID-19 restrictions mean for your liquor or hospitality business.

Level 3 Guidelines:

  • For liquor-specific businesses, customers cannot come onto your premises unless you are a supermarket, dairy or liquor store in a Licensing Trust area. Nightclubs are not permitted to open.
  • Hospitality businesses (apart from nightclubs) can operate under Alert Level 3 for contactless delivery and pick-up (including drive-through) of pre-prepared food and beverages ONLY. Customers are not permitted to eat or drink on 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, offering flexible working options, disinfecting surfaces, and maintaining high hygiene standards.
  • Businesses must display a QR code and have an alternative contact tracing system for people who cannot access a smartphone. Record keeping is a requirement for all people aged 12 and over.
  • 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.
  • Business or work travel across Alert Level 3 boundaries is strictly limited. You will need to make sure your workers have acceptable evidence that they are permitted to cross the boundary.
  • 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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