It was announced at an address on Monday that New Zealand had moved into COVID-19 alert level 3 and would rise to alert level 4 in 48 hours.
As part of the address, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that takeaway services must move to close their operations.
According to New Zealand's Restaurant Association, all hospitality businesses including bars, restaurants and cafes must close their takeaway operations.
"Food delivery businesses including those that make prepared meals (My Food Bag, Woop, Hello Fresh etc) are considered essential services and are still allowed to trade and deliver," explained Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois.
Bidois further explained that Fast food deliveries and Uber Eats eateries will stop operating, as they are classed as non-essential and that the association had faced tough questions from businesses asking for clarification and what this means for the future.
The Restaurant Association today announced that Bidois had written to Hon Kelvin Davis, Minister of Tourism and Hon Peeni Henare, Minister of Civil Defence and Associate Minister of Tourism, to ask the government to consider allowing the hospitality industry to provide provisions and meals via delivery during Alert Level 4.
“We are currently working on a guideline for members to manage contactless delivery (if we are able to get delivery services over the line). We will then start lobbying for contactless takeaway as well,” said the association in a statement.
If this was to succeed it would be highly beneficial to both foodservice businesses forced to lock down, as well as the community they could look to serve.
