Picton chaos eases as deadline extended

Relieved Picton ferry passengers have welcomed an extension allowing them to get home during the national coronavirus lockdown.

Police were called to a chaotic scenes in Picton on Tuesday morning after an influx of people who did not have ferry tickets caused congestion and delays as they tried to beat the Wednesday night deadline for self-isolation.

On Tuesday evening Minister of Transport Phil Twyford announced an extension until midnight tonight for domestic passenger services, including ferries, so people could get home or to their destination to self-isloate for four weeks. The country moved into lockdown from 11.59pm on Wednesday.

After midnight tonight passenger services will only be provided to essential services and workers, including freight services.

‘‘International travellers will only be allowed to use domestic passenger services to reach their final destination to comply with lock-down requirements.’’

At the Picton terminal on Wednesday Elaine Martin and Niklas Trayer, from Germany, welcomed the announcement as their ferry was booked for today.

The pair were in contact with officials back home and were being provided support to try to get back to Germany.

‘‘We booked a ticket on Sunday, we were lucky, Friday was the earliest we could book,’’ Martin said.

Trayer understood Germany had already managed to get 120,000 Germans home and had plans to do the same for another 80,000.

‘‘We hope that we can get home, otherwise we will isolate in Auckland,’’ Trayer said.

Craig Fairbairn, who was in New Zealand on a working visa, wanted to get to the North Island so he could self isolate at a property in Wellington.

‘‘I was told to keep refreshing the Interislander page in case there was a cancellation, which there was,’’ Fairbairn said. Fairbairn

was catching the 2.30pm ferry on Wednesday.

Whakatane residents Margaret and Keith Watson had a ferry ticket for April 6, and had to bring it forward.

‘‘We went down to the port yesterday and had no luck at all,’’ Margaret said. ‘‘We queued early this morning, but we have a bigger caravan so they couldn’t get us on, so they have us on the 2.30 ferry tomorrow morning.’’

Marlene Trux and Stephanie Floater, from Germany, said after initial panic, they were glad to be able to catch the ferry on Wednesday afternoon.

‘‘We have a ticket for the ferry now, and we’ll stay with friends in Auckland in isolation until we can get home,’’ Trux said. said.

‘‘The Government has confirmed the continued provision of cancer services is essential; this means that patients who need treatment will get treatment.

‘‘Your treatment centre will contact you about how their services will be provided and any changes that might be needed.’’

He advised getting an influenza vaccine as soon as possible. It was free for over 65 year olds and most people with cancer.

Cancer Society of New Zealand chief executive Lucy Elwood said most of the charity’s office staff were working remotely and its telephone service was fully staffed.

‘‘Most Cancer Society offices are now working remotely in line with government regulations. We have a fully staffed 0800 cancer information line (0800 226 237) that people can call and discuss any concerns or questions they may have.’’

The cancer society is a fully self-funded charity organisation which relies heavily on volunteer support and donations from the community.