WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY?

Auckland goes into level three lock down today at midday.

WHAT ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH?

The rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2 at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August.

You can still continue to go to work and school, with physical distancing.

Wear masks if you can in public.

No more than 100 people at gatherings, including weddings, birthdays, funerals.

Businesses can open to the public if they are following public health guidance, which include physical distancing and record keeping.

People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, for example those with underlying medical conditions and old people are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home.

Practice good hygiene – stay home if sick.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REST HOMES

The New Zealand Aged Care Association advice to all rest homes is to move into a three day lockdown until midnight on Friday.

That means no visits and no staff moving between facilities.

This is a precautionary measure and further advice will be issued on Friday to apply from Saturday

PANIC BUYING

There has been reports of ‘panic buying’ at New World in Halswell and at the New World in Rangiora.

One shopper told Chris Lynch there was a one and a half hour wait to get inside.

Long lines have been seen outside Countdown on Church corner and long queues have formed at Countdown Hornby.

MOBILE NETWORK ISSUES

Newstalk ZB listeners have called Chris Lynch to say they’ve been having trouble calling people on the Vodafone network.

A Vodafone spokeswoman says the company has seen a slight uptake in activity with calls and messages up 5-10% last night.

There’s also been an uptake this morning. She says the Vodafone network is all operating well and “the company’s head of networks says there are no issues on our side.”

GOOD NEWS FOR REST HOMES IN CHRISTCHURCH

Residents at two rest homes in Christchurch reported to have been in partial lockdown have tested negative for Covid19.

Canterbury District Health Board Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton says the aged Residential Care Facilities have been following usual infectious disease protocols.

She says these rest homes are to be commended for proactively taking steps to protect their residents and staff.

“Many residents have been swabbed and to date all test results have returned negative for COVID-19. At this time of year there are many different flu-like respiratory illnesses circulating and we expect this will continue into early spring as it does most years.”

She says when an Aged Residential Care facility has a resident or a group of residents who are unwell restricting visitors and isolating the resident/s is the most appropriate course of action.

“This is not new – taking a precautionary approach and keeping residents separate from each other and asking visitors to stay away is one of the most important actions ARC facilities can take to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

COUNCIL FACILITIES

Christchurch City Council’s public facilities will remain open under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 but steps will be put in place to ensure people can maintain physical distancing.

The council says under Alert Level 2, public facilities will remain open but council will have to manage numbers through the door to ensure physical distancing and the ability to contact trace.

The Council says if you are planning on visiting one of our facilities over the next couple of days please be aware that some of facilities may be operating slightly differently than normal.

To help keep everyone safe, please stay at home if you are anyone in your house, is unwell.’

DOMESTIC TRAVEL

Flights from Auckland to Christchurch remain operational today, despite the Government urging Aucklanders to stay home at Alert level 3.

On the Government’s website it says “Under Alert Level 3 you should continue to stay in your household bubbles whenever you are not at work or school.”

“You should stay within your household bubble but can expand this to connect with close family/whānau, or bring in caregivers, or support isolated people.”

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman says from 12.00pm today, Air New Zealand’s Auckland lounges and valet parking will close.

She says for the duration of the change in alert levels, Air New Zealand will also be taking extra precautions to keep people safe.

Front of house employees and domestic cabin crew will wear masks and gloves, and pilots will wear masks when interacting with customers or walking through the terminal.

 Customers on flights departing from Auckland will be also be required to wear masks.

Customers are welcome to bring their own, or these will be provided by the airline onboard.

Air New Zealand recommends that its customers traveling from other ports also wear masks, however this will not be a requirement.

Customers who hold a ticket for a domestic flight within New Zealand and are scheduled to depart before 11.59 PM Sunday 16 August may opt to hold their fare in credit and can do this via the airline’s online booking tool.

Customers who are unable to manage their booking online and no longer wish to travel do not need to contact Air New Zealand immediately or prior to their flight’s departure, and can be assisted at a later date to find an alternative flight option or be provided with a credit note.