The rat-ridden Dunedin South Countdown has pushed back its reopening, yet again, after yet another rodent sighting.
The store has been shut for more than two weeks as they tackle a rat problem that just won't quit.
Twenty rats have been captured in the store since February 10 after it was shut.
The store was set to reopen on Sunday, but Woolworths New Zealand director of stores Jason Stockill said that was now on hold.
"Rentokil reported a rodent gained entry to the store overnight, triggering a camera sighting," Stockill said in a statement.
The issue is now being discussed with the Ministry for Primary Industries and its unclear when the store could reopen.
Stockill said an update on reopening will be provided when they are able.
NZ Food Safety has said that an investigation into the cause and scale of the problem at the Countdown could take several months.
When it eventually opens, it'll be monitored to ensure food safety.
There must be three consecutive days of no pests to show pest control measures are working, then the store gets the all-clear to reopen.
Woolworths has squashed rumours that staff aren't being forced to take leave while pest eradication continues.
"We have given our Dunedin South team the options of completing work in-store, working in another nearby store or taking annual leave if they would prefer to," a spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Rodents spotted at other supermarkets
Other supermarkets around the country have also had a similar headache in recent weeks.
A mouse was also spotted crawling around an uncovered salad in the deli department of Countdown Eastgate two weeks ago.
After that incident emerged, Woolworths New Zealand stores director Jason Stockill told Newshub that Rentokil had identified and sealed possible rodent entry points.
It was later revealed staff hadn't thrown out the deli food after the mouse was spotted, and some of it was sold.
Foodstuffs, the other supermarket behemoth, hasn't been totally rodent-free either.
An Auckland woman told Newshub she saw a mouse scurrying up the aisle at Pak'nSave Lincoln Rd, in Henderson last Tuesday.
