Christchurch earthquake: Downtime amongst the debris

Simon Mortimer's business hemmed in. Photo / Getty Images

Simon Mortimer was at Wellington Airport when he saw pictures of his earthquake-damaged central city pharmacy on television.

Five days on, he still hasn't been able to get to the business that he has spent 20 years building.

Amcal Victoria Square is a block from the Cathedral and Mortimer does not expect to get in to inspect the damage - let alone reopen his doors - any time soon.

In the meantime, he has seven staff to think about. All survived the quake.

Mortimer is supporting a proposed government grant to pay their wages, saying it would be "a very good idea".

He had not needed it after last year's earthquake as he was able to reopen two days later. But this time it's different.

Mortimer hopes to set up temporary premises outside the cordon area.

Other businesses have already moved outside the danger zone so they can continue trading.

On Friday, the army and Canterbury Health Board staff helped drug wholesaler CDC Pharmaceuticals move from the central city to a warehouse out of the cordon area.