A return to Alert Level 3 has come as a welcome relief for many Hawke's Bay businesses who have spent the past two weeks unable to operate.

Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO Karla Lee says a recent survey has found the region's businesses are feeling "reasonably" confident despite the current restrictions but cautions a return to normality is needed sooner rather than later.

The survey, which took place last week alongside a North Island Chambers confidence survey, recorded an 82 per cent confidence level.

"However, there is 35 per cent of businesses that think they might be making staff redundant and this is of extreme concern because that affects everybody's growth in business," Karla says. 

"So the longer we stay in lockdown and the longer we are restricted, means in the long run businesses won't grow as fast if they can actually survive the other side of this." 

Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO Karla Lee

Third Eye Coffee Roasters in Onekawa have pivoted once again to providing customers items through a drive-thru system.

Manager Hine Hale says it has been "really good" to be back open and see people, albeit socially distanced. Plus, she says it hasn't been "nearly as stressful" as last year's return to normality after the country's first lockdown. 

Being back in Level 3 has been pretty full-on, it's been really interesting trying to work out how to do this again knowing we did quite well the last lockdown with our drive-thru." 

Hine says it has given her and her staff, who are all fairly young, a "purpose" to their day. 

"For us being back at work, and for me especially, it means getting to see people and getting to make sure everyone's okay and it keeps us on our toes and out of trouble which is key as we're all pretty young here," she said with a smile. 

"But for the most part, we are feeling a bit more normal and we have a point to the day and a purpose which is always nice to have." 

Third Eye Coffee Roasters Manager Hine Hale. 

In going back to work, they have also placed a big emphasis on not only making their customers but also themselves feel safe during each transaction. 

Using old pallets with holes carved out of them, they have been able to transfer coffee cups and an eftpos machine safely through each customers car window.  

"We are really trying to ensure that social distancing," she said. And they have restricted all on-foot orders. 

"Pretty much everyone's in their car and it means that they all have their own bubbles that they can come and go in and it means we all feel safe too. We've got whānau, we've got ourselves, some of whom are immune-compromised so we want to make sure everyone is as happy and healthy and safe as can be." 

Ben Harper, owner of Piku Izakaya Japanese Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, said getting to reopen has been "really nice" given how hard lockdowns impact the hospitality industry. 

"It's obviously really hard for this industry when we have a Level 4 lockdown especially when we go to zero income but with still a lot of outgoings."

He says they have been "lucky" to be able to retain all 30 staff. 

"So it is great to at least have the core staff back and be looking after our customers so very lucky and very happy." 

As much as it is not ideal to not be able to have people dining and drinking, Ben says at least they are able to have takeaways as a source of revenue. 

Piku Izakaya Japanese Restaurant & Cocktail Bar owner Ben Harper. 

Although the changes in alert levels don't make a "huge difference" to the health sector, Health Hawke's Bay medical director Dr Louise Haywood, says it is important to ensure people's hygiene is kept to a high standard. 

"With the increased activity at Level 3, I think it's really important we're aware that illnesses and diseases can spread more easily in the community."

"Therefore it's more important that we are more careful when we see other people, that we wash our hands properly and it's important that we use face masks to keep other people safe and to keep track of where you're going at all times," Dr Haywood, also a General Practitioner at Hastings Health Centre, said. 

"It's important that we continue to keep ourselves safe, and that we continue wearing a mask." She also stressed the importance of people not going out if they feel unwell or have any cold or flu symptoms and to call their health provider if this is the case. 

Getting vaccinated adds another layer of protection. 

"The medical community strongly encourages people to get a vaccine, especially now that we have the fear of the Delta variant of COVID circulating in Auckland and it may transition through the community in Hawke's Bay, so it is really important to protect yourself as soon as possible." 

However, Dr Haywood says people shouldn't feel scared about seeing their doctor. 

"If you are unwell, we are here and able to help. We don't want to put all health care on hold because of Covid-19 Alert Level 3 but we just want to make sure we are providing it in the safest possible way." 

Tags

• News