Queenstown Lakes district business owners will have their fingers crossed the country moves to alert level two next week, after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday (Thursday May 7) that level two is designed to “get the economy back up and running in the safest way possible”.

Jacinda reiterated the Cabinet will make a decision on whether or not to move to level two “that recognises the impact of restrictions but doesn’t risk the gains we’ve made” on Monday (May 11).

At level two business can restart for staff and customers, and people will be allowed to move around the country. 

“We need to support our tourism industry safely” in order to move us back to level one, Jacinda said.

Queenstown Lakes District mayor Jim Boult said the announcement would be a huge relief for many local businesses.

“A big part of our local economy, and especially in our main centres of Queenstown and Wānaka, is based around hospitality. So the fact that bars, restaurants and cafés can now open, albeit within strict guidelines, is a chance for people to start putting money back in their accounts, paying their bills and starting to get on with a new normal. And the wellbeing benefit for our wider community and the individuals who have been unable to trade in all sectors will be massive,” he said.

Jim said the reintroduction of domestic flights is also a big step on the road to economic recovery for this district.

“Not only will it be great to be able to move around the country, visit family and take some much needed leisure time, but this begins to unlock our district again. Kiwis have had a tough time, and I recognise it’s been for the most necessary of reasons, but no doubt many will be ready for a much-needed break.”

He said a recent survey showed that Queenstown and Wānaka were top planned destinations for Kiwis to visit when they could travel again – first and fifth place respectively.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the tourism industry must be “safely supported”. PHOTO: RNZ

Jacinda explained the principle of “playing it safe” was key at level two.

Health measures remain the same (if you are sick, stay at home; If you have symptoms, get tested; wash your hands, and wash all high-touch surfaces regularly). People are still advised to keep a two metre distance from other people.

Businesses can restart for staff and customers, and each business can work out its own situation. For example, people must be seated at hospitality businesses, and hairdressers must wear appropriate PPE.

Indoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 100, as are outdoor gatherings. Previous advice was that outdoor gatherings were limited to 500, but the PM said experience has shown that “big numbers risk clusters”.

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Schools and early learning education centres will be open at level two, and the same public health messages apply to schools, Jacinda said: Keep children home if they’re even slightly sick, use good hygiene practices, and clean regularly.

Schools won’t be opening mid-week, she said, so if the country goes to level two next week schools would not open until the following Monday (May 18).

Some sports will be able to resume, and recreation centres and pools will open.

In level two, people no longer need to stick to their ‘bubble’, but must apply the same principles used in hospitality: keep the numbers small. “This is not the time for a large party of function in your home,” she said.

“If public health advice is to move in a phased way, I would rather take that advice and move out slowly than be in level three longer,” Jacinda cautioned, signalling the possibility of “several steps into level two”.

“Level two is our safer normal, not a return to business as usual,” she said. “We think of ourselves as halfway down Everest. I think it’s clear no one wants to hike back up that peak. The descent is known to be even more dangerous. So we need to proceed with caution, with the highest degree of confidence and look out for each other along the way. And I absolutely believe we can do this.”

Find more details on alert level two here.