There are also only about 120 close contacts registered in the south. It's an uphill battle for businesses and some believe it could be resolved by geography.

"Every day it goes on, it's millions and millions of dollars down the tube," Christchurch businessman Mike Percasky told Newshub.

"The South Island's got a natural physical border with the Cook Strait so I can't see why we can't move down a couple of levels soon."

But many accept, for the time being, a nationwide lockdown is for the greater good.

"We could be let out but that will just risk a longer lockdown," one resident told Newshub.

"I feel reassured and happy that we're staying in level 4," another said.

Greymouth Mayor Tania Gibson is also backing the decision.

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"There were a lot of people moving between north and south so I think this is a good decision at the moment - just to make sure everything is going to be OK," she said.

But the tolerance won't last forever.

"I think if Friday comes around and we don't have COVID cases in the South Island I think we should move then, but I'm comfortable until Friday," Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult said.

The highly infectious Delta variant made its way to New Zealand because of the travel bubble with Australia but the Prime Minister said she doesn't regret having one.

"I stand by all the decisions as we made them," Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Monday. "They were made with the best information possible."

Members of the public Newshub spoke to, however, weren't so convinced.

"It was a bit early because everything surrounding Delta was still unclear," said one.

"I still thought it was a bit too early," another said.

Cabinet will decide the fate of the south again on Friday.