PM’s ‘go hard and go early’ a sign of more restrictions on way
NZ has ‘one chance’ to keep the virus out. Stephanie Ockhuysen and Bevan Hurley report.
ANZAC Day commemorations are among a swath of upcoming music, sporting and cultural events unlikely to go ahead as the Government prepares to unveil more measures to halt the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that everyone arriving in New Zealand would have to selfisolate for 14 days from midnight tonight.
Repeating several times during a press conference in Auckland that it was time to ‘‘go hard, and go early’’, Ardern signalled there would be additional announcements on mass gatherings next week.
Among the events now under serious doubt are next weekend’s Homegrown music festival in Wellington, Anzac Day commemorations next month, and further-out events such as the Bluff Oyster Festival and the Auckland Writers Festival in May.
Anzac Day regularly attracts thousands to dawn parades and commemorations, and the attendees include older people, who are the most vulnerable to the coronavirus.
University of Otago professor of public health Michael Baker said he was delighted by Ardern’s announcement, but said more restrictions were needed.
‘‘It signals an intent to put public health at the top of the
Government’s priorities. They greatly strengthen the ‘keep it out’ component of our pandemic plan. You only get one go at this. Once you have widespread transmission all you can do is mitigate.’’
He called for social distancing measures to be ramped up, including restricting large gatherings, and supporting employees to work from home.
The Australian government is discouraging organised, nonessential gatherings of more than 500 people.
As of Friday evening, planning for Anzac Day services was going ahead.
Speaking before the Prime Minister’s announcement of sweeping self-isolation measures, Returned and Services Association (RSA) chief executive Karen Rolleston said parades and community events would go ahead on April 25.
Rolleston said the RSA would closely monitor the situation and provide advice to local RSAs, who would have the final decision on dawn parades.
The number of confirmed cases worldwide reached 137,000 yesterday, and more than 5000 people have died, according to the World Health Organisation.
In New Zealand, there are six cases after a man in his 60s who recently travelled to the United States tested positive on Friday.
Those at higher risk of getting very sick from the illness are the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
President of New Plymouth RSA Steve Bones said he was aware that the majority of attendees would be elderly but
‘You only get one go at this. Once you have widespread transmission all you can do is mitigate.’ MICHAEL BAKER
the event was more than a month away and a decision would be made closer to the time.
President of Hamilton RSA Jan Luttrell said they would discuss it at a meeting tomorrow
night.
‘‘We will be going ahead with it at this stage but it’s people’s choice to attend.’’
Major events such as Auckland’s Pasifika Festival and the one-year anniversary commemorations of the Christchurch mosque shootings were cancelled at the last minute, and sporting events had been cancelled or played before empty stadiums.
A superyacht convention due to be held in Auckland was cancelled, as was comedian Russell Brand’s New Zealand tour.
In Taranaki, around 17,000 people turned out yesterday to enjoy Womad, and while taking extra precautions was encouraged, many were happy to sit back and enjoy themselves.
New Plymouth local Sam Phillips was stoked the event wasn’t canned, as he sat in the shade listening to Kiwi singersongwriter Reb Fountain.
‘‘Absolutely,’’ he said when asked if the decision to go ahead with the festival was the right one.