Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Baristas and bakers make most of new restrictions

Fiona Hannah and Liz Beech from Cinnamonui are delighted to hear they can operate during level 4. Photo / Logan Tutty

Local baristas and commercial bakers are making the most of the little wiggle room they have been given with new rules that will allow them to operate under level 4.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment has added bakeries to the list of services that can now operate under level 4, allowing them to do contactless deliveries.

Litza Devine from Devine Treats said she was delighted to hear of the rule changes and will be doing contactless deliveries on Saturday.

A staple at the Whanganui River Markets, Devine said it's great to be able to do what she loves.

"It's really good. It gives me a sense of being able to do something with my day, my family are over my baking, they are saying it's too much and I need to stop. This is what I do all day, every day."

She said while there is no physical contact or interaction, being able to talk to people over Messenger and sell them goods is a good compromise.

"I know that a lot of these will be my regular clients, but I know they will enjoy a good treat because you can't buy much at the moment."

Devine said the loosened restrictions to allow her to trade contactlessly had been relieving.

"It's great, it just keeps our business going. It is very hard for people to financially survive during this time. It just keeps everything ticking along. Being able to pay your rent and equipment. We have had a lot of orders."

The Village Snob's Paul Harris is delivering coffee beans and equipment during level 4. Photo / Bevan Conley

Paul Harris aka The Village Snob is delivering coffee beans and equipment to those who need their fix during level 4.

"Same as last lockdown, we are doing contactless deliveries through our website. Everything is running through couriers."

Harris is organising deliveries for Wednesdays and is looking to do one more day during the week.

"We are offering beans and brewing kits to keep people going at home and some of the good-quality alternative milks I use at the cart that aren't generally in the supermarket to help people have some decent coffee."

Last lockdown, Harris made a range of how to brew videos for the various beans he offers.

"People have plenty of time on their hands, may as well have decent coffee. Could be a new hobby, what could go wrong."

Fiona Hannah from Cinnamonui said she was very excited to learn she could trade in level 4.

"I didn't realise we could, I missed out the announcement last week. It was one of my customers that sent me the link saying we could open.

"It's great, it has made a big difference. We actually had to cut off Thursday orders because we just had too many.

"My husband did some deliveries on Monday and he did about 115km, that's a lot of deliveries, every side of Whanganui."