Keen to experience some Level 3 freedom
FORTY international tourists locked down at a Wanaka camping ground are looking forward to a little more freedom from Tuesday.
Instead of being restricted to trips to the supermarket, Emma Fitzharris (23) and Phil Bullock (31) would like to climb Mt Roy or, maybe, take a swim in Lake Wanaka.
They are both from the north of England and came to New
Zealand on a working holiday in November.
But the adventure ended a month ago when they went into lockdown at Wanaka Lake View Holiday Park along with 38 other mostly young tourists from the United States, France, Germany, Hungary and Spain.
The group includes a baby, two children, an older couple, a French jazz trumpeter and a French guitarist.
While they must share cooking facilities, they try to keep 2m apart.
Ms Fitzpatrick and Mr Bullock previously worked at a climbing gym in north Wales but have been picking fruit in New Zealand and cleaning holiday lodges.
Mr Bullock said they chose not to fly home at the beginning of the lockdown, hoping the Covid19 problem would ‘‘blow over relatively quickly’’.
And Ms Fitzpatrick said they did not realise how fast the virus would progress.
‘‘We went on a hike and we came back and the next day it was Level 3 and everything was closing down.’’
Now the dollars they have earned in New Zealand have run out and with no job or benefit, they are relying on their savings from home.
They were thankful the holiday park had reduced its rate for the group.
However, finding a job once the lockdown ends will be top priority.