13 Oct 2021

Auckland restaurants call for legal help with reopening in level 2

From Checkpoint, 6:12 pm on 13 October 2021

An Auckland restaurateur is calling for special provisions to be made to the Sale of Liquor Act like they were for the Rugby World Cup in 2011, to accommodate more outdoor diners and give the CBD a kickstart when the city emerges from lockdown.

Auckland Council has waived outdoor dining applications and rental fees for temporary or extended outdoor areas during lockdown.

But there's a catch - you'll need a separate liquor license and indoor and outdoor diners will not be able to use the same toilet.

Auckland restaurateur Mandy Lusk says that makes things impossible for many businesses to reopen at all.

Louise Ternouth and camera operator Marika Khabazi explain.