PM Jacinda Arden has announced all of Aotearoa-NZ (except Auckland) will move down from level three to beefed up ‘Delta level two’ restrictions from 11.59pm on Tuesday Sept 7.
The new level two rules include:
Mask-wearing in all indoor public places, except for customers in cafes and restaurants while eating,
A limit of 50 people for indoor gatherings,
A limit of 100 people for outdoor gatherings,
Mask wearing recommended, but not mandated for schools
Ministry of Health DG Ashley Bloomfield also announced essential workers crossing the border from Auckland will have to show proof of a negative covid test when crossing the border. He said about 3,000 essential workers cross the border daily out of 240,000 essential workers in Auckland.
Schools will be given 48 hours to reopen from Thursday morning. Cabinet will review levels for all of the motu from next Tuesday Sept 13. Auckland is due to stay at level four until 11.59pm on Tuesday Sept 14.
I welcome your thoughts on these changes, including any effects and unintended consequences from today’s changes.
I'd hate to think of kids having to wear a mask at school all day, especially little kids. There are other measures like distancing and cohort groups that have worked overseas and don't impact so much on social interaction.
I agree-so does Michael Baker- Social distancing in a classroom is impossible unless ventilation is really good with viral filtration so it’s masks or stay home
PM says not expecting to stay at new ‘Delta Two’ restrictions for extended period of time, but also says doesn’t want to remove restrictions too quickly, as that has been problematic for others overseas.
I was glad to hear that. It'll be untenable for many small (and perhaps larger ones) customer-facing businesses and event organisers if the distancing and customer numbers stay like this for long. Hopefully the business support scheme will adapt. Also, not just businesses. An NGO I'm associated with stands to lose a lot of money if a conference doesn't go ahead as scheduled in a couple of months.
Kia ora Bernard, mostly writing to say the kaka has been brilliant over last few weeks. My question is - how many of those “mystery” cases in Auckland do they expect will get solved, and what does that number mean for alert level changes for Auckland. Polly in Christchurch
Thanks Polly. I just asked PM and DG what would be needed for Auckland to go down a level. Bloomfield said he didn’t expect Auckland to go down a level until there were no more mystery cases. Two new ‘mystery’ cases today and still 33 ‘unsolved’ cases in total.
Indeed. Cross everything that today's Middlemore case is "clearly linked". And agreeing with Polly your reasoned analysis. Bernard of what New Zealand is facing is very much appreciated. As a society we are going to have to make some hard decisions on what we value.
It all seems very sensible. However some 'work' cannot take place in Level 2 Delta, including some of mine. I really hope the wage subsidy scheme is altered and extended to account for people like me who will still be losing revenue at Level 2 Delta.
Good point on the wage subsidy scheme. It’s being extended in two-week chunks at the moment. There are also calls for another resurgence payment for non-wage costs.
Here's hoping no covids have slipped the gaps and made it outside Auckland. All it takes is a cheeky Saturday night clubbing, followed by a Sunday morning service to put us back to square one.
Curious what the long term plan for MIQ is for Auckland; it is getting glaringly obvious it isn't sustainable to create a team of 1.7m that subsidises a team of 3.3m? Is the govt happy to keep locking down the most populous city in the country? If so, what sort of long term division do you think this would create?
Surprising isn’t it schools are mask free- sun-hats are recommended too but never seen. Like raincoats in the rain too! Being a retired school teacher I’m cynical- Is this based on epidemiological advice or economic pragmatism? Frees up the workers from babysitting. Classrooms are perfect spreader situations. If there is any Delta out there in takeaway land the schools will spread it.
Time will tell whether the Auckland situation is contained and human nature ... can anyone trust people won't challenge the regime and try to smuggle people in and out of the Auckland boarder out of desperation, entitlement or dare. Maybe some people will profit from this emerged opportunity much like those who cross the USA/Mexico or French Chanel. Unfortunately for entertainment, bar, eateries and dining they could detonate if they need numbers as the arrangement will probably won't work for them and even if South Island could have more higher numbers it could be so easily contaminate by outsiders. But I don't blame the configuration of what the Govt have come up with I guess we need to vax asap.
Hi Bernard thanks for your insights. I’m frightened at NZ continuing to move in and out of lockdown, trying to keep the virus at bay and the impact on our seasonal horticulture, tourism, kids school achievement and what will happen when another variant inevitably lands in nz. On the vax front, We already know booster shots are needed and people’s enthusiasm for that will surely wane, as it does for lockdown rules when the sun shines and cases plateau.
I struggle with the end game here. What is the plan? All great for the Pm and doctor to update in case numbers and locations of interest every single day, but what is the plan for moving nz into the future and keeping people from leaving nz permanently? I’ve two good friends, highly qualified, good jobs, home owners talking about leaving nz because they’re sick of this lack of certainty and bumbling around. There are likely hundreds more. And what of international recruitment to NZ in the age of covid house prices and the cost of living… as pointed out in the spin-off today, doctors, nurses et al can get a way better deal elsewhere. So where does this leave NZ? I feel like we’re going nowhere fast. Maybe the most desirable place to retire in the world but that’s about it. Thanks for reading my stream of concerned consciousness.
I'd hate to think of kids having to wear a mask at school all day, especially little kids. There are other measures like distancing and cohort groups that have worked overseas and don't impact so much on social interaction.
I agree-so does Michael Baker- Social distancing in a classroom is impossible unless ventilation is really good with viral filtration so it’s masks or stay home
Thanks Erina. Interesting idea. Hopefully also no eating and talking at the same time.
PM says not expecting to stay at new ‘Delta Two’ restrictions for extended period of time, but also says doesn’t want to remove restrictions too quickly, as that has been problematic for others overseas.
I was glad to hear that. It'll be untenable for many small (and perhaps larger ones) customer-facing businesses and event organisers if the distancing and customer numbers stay like this for long. Hopefully the business support scheme will adapt. Also, not just businesses. An NGO I'm associated with stands to lose a lot of money if a conference doesn't go ahead as scheduled in a couple of months.
Kia ora Bernard, mostly writing to say the kaka has been brilliant over last few weeks. My question is - how many of those “mystery” cases in Auckland do they expect will get solved, and what does that number mean for alert level changes for Auckland. Polly in Christchurch
Thanks Polly. I just asked PM and DG what would be needed for Auckland to go down a level. Bloomfield said he didn’t expect Auckland to go down a level until there were no more mystery cases. Two new ‘mystery’ cases today and still 33 ‘unsolved’ cases in total.
Indeed. Cross everything that today's Middlemore case is "clearly linked". And agreeing with Polly your reasoned analysis. Bernard of what New Zealand is facing is very much appreciated. As a society we are going to have to make some hard decisions on what we value.
It all seems very sensible. However some 'work' cannot take place in Level 2 Delta, including some of mine. I really hope the wage subsidy scheme is altered and extended to account for people like me who will still be losing revenue at Level 2 Delta.
Good point on the wage subsidy scheme. It’s being extended in two-week chunks at the moment. There are also calls for another resurgence payment for non-wage costs.
Here's hoping no covids have slipped the gaps and made it outside Auckland. All it takes is a cheeky Saturday night clubbing, followed by a Sunday morning service to put us back to square one.
Curious what the long term plan for MIQ is for Auckland; it is getting glaringly obvious it isn't sustainable to create a team of 1.7m that subsidises a team of 3.3m? Is the govt happy to keep locking down the most populous city in the country? If so, what sort of long term division do you think this would create?
50 people for indoor gatherings, so a supermarket can only have 50 people in it, including staff?
Surprising isn’t it schools are mask free- sun-hats are recommended too but never seen. Like raincoats in the rain too! Being a retired school teacher I’m cynical- Is this based on epidemiological advice or economic pragmatism? Frees up the workers from babysitting. Classrooms are perfect spreader situations. If there is any Delta out there in takeaway land the schools will spread it.
Time will tell whether the Auckland situation is contained and human nature ... can anyone trust people won't challenge the regime and try to smuggle people in and out of the Auckland boarder out of desperation, entitlement or dare. Maybe some people will profit from this emerged opportunity much like those who cross the USA/Mexico or French Chanel. Unfortunately for entertainment, bar, eateries and dining they could detonate if they need numbers as the arrangement will probably won't work for them and even if South Island could have more higher numbers it could be so easily contaminate by outsiders. But I don't blame the configuration of what the Govt have come up with I guess we need to vax asap.
so
Some restrictions on which types of masks are acceptable is needed. For example masks with valves should not be allowed. Lots of useful stuff at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/effective-masks.html
Hi Bernard thanks for your insights. I’m frightened at NZ continuing to move in and out of lockdown, trying to keep the virus at bay and the impact on our seasonal horticulture, tourism, kids school achievement and what will happen when another variant inevitably lands in nz. On the vax front, We already know booster shots are needed and people’s enthusiasm for that will surely wane, as it does for lockdown rules when the sun shines and cases plateau.
I struggle with the end game here. What is the plan? All great for the Pm and doctor to update in case numbers and locations of interest every single day, but what is the plan for moving nz into the future and keeping people from leaving nz permanently? I’ve two good friends, highly qualified, good jobs, home owners talking about leaving nz because they’re sick of this lack of certainty and bumbling around. There are likely hundreds more. And what of international recruitment to NZ in the age of covid house prices and the cost of living… as pointed out in the spin-off today, doctors, nurses et al can get a way better deal elsewhere. So where does this leave NZ? I feel like we’re going nowhere fast. Maybe the most desirable place to retire in the world but that’s about it. Thanks for reading my stream of concerned consciousness.