NEW ZEALAND. Auckland Airport has told travellers to stock up on necessities before travelling to the airport as most retail and F&B outlets in the airport have closed.
New Zealand this week escalated the COVID-19 alert system from Level 3 to Level 4, which means that many retail stores, cafes and restaurants across the country have had to close.
At the country’s busiest airport, all but a few retail and food & beverage outlets have closed. Of the 100-plus retail and F&B outlets usually open, only three, all located in the international terminal, are currently operational. These are: the Take Home convenience store in landside arrivals; The Juicery, which offers pre-packaged food and drink airside; and the airside New Zealand Health & Beauty pharmacy.
The airport added it is currently working with retailers to see what options there might be for limited services in the domestic terminal.
Auckland Airport General Manager Retail & Commercial Richard Barker said: “To help contain the spread of the virus, there will be only minimal options available airside at the international terminal to ensure travellers have access to food and drinks. So it’s really important that travellers plan ahead if they can and consider carefully what they will need before coming to the terminal.”
He continued: “These are tough times for everyone in the Auckland Airport community, and we are all feeling it, especially our retailers and food and beverage operators. We are working with each of them to support them.”
The airport is remaining operational to international and domestic flights, but as of 26 March, New Zealand’s borders will be closed to international transit passengers and all arriving international passengers will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Barker added: “Auckland Airport is focused on maintaining its runway operation so Kiwis can get home and travellers can get to where they need to be, and we are supportive of any moves to protect New Zealand from the spread of COVID-19.”
