Here's what is considered essential in the retail sector
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Supermarkets
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Pharmacies
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Vet clinics*
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Pet shops and pet services*
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Dairies (with a one-in, one-out rule)
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Self-service laundries (two metre physical distancing rules apply)
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Stores supplying the building / construction sector (but only for trade customers for essential purposes)
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Uncooked food delivery services (subject to conditions)
*Special registration requirements apply.
Essential non-food consumer products
Businesses are able to sell essential non-food consumer products, provided they do so in a way that protects the public and minimises the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
In order to provide essential non-food consumer products, businesses must comply with the following conditions:
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Orders must be taken online or by phone only. Storefronts must not be open and the public should not be able to visit stores to select or collect goods.
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Orders must be for only essential non-food consumer products.
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In fulfilling orders, businesses must take all appropriate public health measures (e.g. physical distancing, hygiene basics, appropriate personal protective equipment for staff).
Orders must be home delivered in a contactless way (i.e. there is no physical interaction between the deliverer and customer). -
The business must inform MBIE of its intention to offer essential non-food products for sale, and provide a list of the products they intend to offer. (Click here for more information on how to do this.)
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If businesses cannot meet any of the above conditions, they should not offer to sell essential goods while the country is at Alert Level 4.