Capital’s doors creaking open

There is a crack of light appearing through the cobweb-covered door of Wellington and it is called ‘‘restrict’’.

From 11.59pm yesterday, life got easier and more complicated. We can get food delivered and businesses can open – they just can’t physically interact with customers.

In government-speak, we have moved from ‘‘lockdown’’ level four to ‘‘restrict’’ level three. The ‘‘reduce’’ and ‘‘prepare’’ levels are yet to come.

For Goldmine Co owner Graeme Corlett, it is a sign of hope after a bad run. The cafe and restaurant was getting ready to open late last year when – almost right outside – a stormwater failure led to months of digging and the closure of Willis St.

‘‘As soon as that went away – Covid level-four lockdown.’’

Corlett is now offering contactless pick-up and delivery but as recently as yesterday was not quite sure what that would entail.

He hoped that people would download and use the Regulr food and drink ordering app.

Meanwhile, the team behind Visa Wellington On A Plate has repurposed the event’s website to allow for home deliveries.

The At Yours site had roughly 250 Wellington restaurants and cafes signed up by yesterday and at any given time had about 300 people browsing it.

Spokeswoman Melissa Davey said it was proving so popular yesterday – before it could even be used – that it briefly crashed.

Today’s loosening of restrictions will be big for some. Take, for example, Georgina Muir, who once a week sits on Kilbirnie’s Onepu Rd and talks to her mum, Jane Muir, at the Rita Angus retirement village through a fence. Her bubble could now expand to include her mother.

But, it is warned, bubbles must remain exclusive and can only be left to go to work, school or for local, low-risk recreation.

Down at O¯ whiro Bay on Wellington’s south coast, Jackie Shea has kept a tally of the days in lockdown in her front window.

‘‘We get a lot of people walking around the south coast – it is something for them to do.’’

While the new rules will allow more people to go to work, Shae will continue to work from home. And that is just what the Government wants.

WellingtonNZ chief executive Lance Walker reckoned the city’s streets would still be quiet for the coming two weeks but some industries, such as construction, would start to gear up.

It had earmarked $250,000 from its marketing budget to give a $10 rebate for each home delivery by hospitality businesses.

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF Fraser Colson and Jackie Shea with their dog, Charlie, at their O¯ whiro Bay home. They have made a count of the days they have spent in lockdown on their window.

Georgina Muir sits on Onepu Rd in Kilbirnie talking to her mother, Jane Muir, and Tony Vignaus at the Rita Angus retirement home during the lockdown.