Message on the footpath outside S&S Patels Superette, Cuba St, Wellington, when New Zealand was at Covid-19 Alert Level 4

This photograph of a Wellington grocery store was taken during the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown when New Zealand was in Alert Level 4 (11.59pm on 25 March to 11.59pm on 27 April 2020). It was one of many scenes captured by Te Papa photographers who took their cameras with them when they went on local walks during lockdown.

During lockdown, non-essential businesses were closed. Supermarkets, grocery stores and dairies were allowed to stay open, but many saw large queues as two metre distancing rules were enforced. Small dairies could only allow one customer at a time. This chalked message asked shoppers to wait and check if anyone was inside before they entered.