Level 3: City was like ‘rush hour’

A child’s birthday party and backyard church gathering were among the weekend events police attended that breached social distancing rules.

Fifty people breached coronavirus level 3 restrictions in 24 hours, police say, as New Zealanders enjoyed possibly their last weekend before level 2.

Assistant commissioner Richard Chambers said police in Hamilton came across a church service in someone’s backyard, with a congregation of 24 people. Police also issued a warning after a family invited more than 30 people to a three-year-old’s party, he said.

‘‘In both cases, encouragement and education was used to move the people on,’’ Chambers said. ‘‘The people at these addresses knew they were breaching the rules which is disappointing.’’

During level 3, Chambers said there had been fewer breaches by individuals or businesses, but there had been a spike in people holding illegal gatherings such as parties and barbecues.

The alleged breaches occurred between 6pm on Friday and 6pm on Saturday.

Since the country moved to level 3 at 11.59pm on April 27, there have been 1051 alleged breaches in total. Police launched prosecutions in 253 instances, gave warnings to 723 people and referred 75 to Youth Aid.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said it was clear many in the capital city were not following social distancing rules. ‘‘It was like rush hour[on Saturday],’’ he said.

Auckland’s popular eastern beaches, including Mission Bay and Kohimarama, were packed on Saturday. A Stuff photographer said yesterday the beaches were still ‘‘reasonably busy’’ but that people seemed to be trying to keep their distance.

West coast beaches in Auckland, including Muriwai and Piha, had also been busy over the weekend, Rodney Local Board chairman Phelan Pirrie said.

‘‘There’s been lots of people around enjoying the weather, but there doesn’t seem to be any issues or rule-breaking going on.’’

When lockdown rules were relaxed on April 28, concerns were raised about long queues and people defecating in bushes at several west coast beaches.

Hundreds of surfers flocked to Wellington’s Lyall Bay on Saturday but police said there were no reported issues.

Of the total level 3 breaches logged by police, Counties Manukau was the district with the most, with 243. Next was the Central district with 123, followed by Southern with 107, Auckland City with 100 and Canterbury with 90.

Northland was the district with the least breaches, at 19.