The announcement of alert level three (from midnight tonight, Tuesday August 31) means another set of circumstances for local businesses to adapt to.

Ignite Wānaka general manager Naomi Lindsay said alert level restrictions affect businesses in many ways and the lockdown had presented some challenges.

“While some may be busier in lockdowns such as lawyers, accountants and those who can work from home; many businesses stand still without access to premises and equipment, let alone the physical presence of customers,” she said.

This is not the first time businesses have faced these challenges, and many are well prepared to act again, Naomi said.

Ritual Espresso owner Chris Hadfield acted quickly to remove pre-prepared food, coffee and milk from his cafe before the lockdown began.

“We froze what we could and had to discard anything that would not be usable. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as pandemic insurance, so business owners cannot claim back the costs of the food and produce we had to throw away,” Chris told the Wānaka App.

Some essential businesses, including Florences, remained open during alert level four.

He applied to Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for the wage subsidy on Monday (August 23) at midday, and the money was in his business account by that evening, meaning he could pay his staff as usual.

He told the Wānaka App the application process was fairly straight forward for business owners and follows the same steps as the 2020 lockdown.

“For now, there is not much more we can do, other than wait for the restrictions to ease and hope for business to pick up again.”

Some businesses have taken a significant financial hit from the lockdown. 

Lucas Parkinson, owner of local restaurant Ode, said this lockdown alone had cost his business over $100,000 in losses.

“Ode is only 120 square metres, and our losses compared with others in our industry will be small. Industry losses will be hit hard by the time lockdown ends,” he said.

Tomorrow’s shift to alert level three means businesses requiring close physical contact cannot operate but those which can offer contactless delivery or pickup can reopen.

This will present new opportunities - and challenges - for businesses.

“We will wait with hope for a smooth, quick and safe transition back to level one to get the economy rolling again,” Naomi said.