Gloom over lights on Franklin Rd
Residents of an Auckland street famous for its Christmas lights might pull the plug this year due to the Grinch that is Covid-19.
AUCKLAND’S famous Franklin Rd Christmas lights could become another Covid-19 casualty, with organisers suggesting neighbours pull the plug this year.
Christmas revellers have marvelled at the extensively decked-out houses on the Freemans Bay street for the past 27 years. Recently, the festivities have attracted around 150,000 visitors over the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
But the tradition could be forced to take a break this year, thanks to a coronavirus Grinch.
Long-time Franklin Rd resident and organiser Ross Thorby said a decision could come as soon as today after a meeting with neighbours.
Thorby said it was not something organisers had taken lightly, as they had been in discussions with health authorities for several weeks.
‘‘We think it’s the responsible thing to do. Even though it’s only a small risk, to alleviate that risk is far beyond our resources.’’
Organisers had considered using the NZ Covid Tracer app and QR codes, but to make sure theywere being used at the road’s 10 entrance points over several weeks would be a big job.
Thorby was also worried that patrolling visitors to make sure they scanned the QR codes would take the fun out of it.
‘‘I don’t want to cause any angst or extra work, it’s already a lot of work for them [neighbours] to do it.’’
He added that he didn’t want a dark shadow cast over the tradition, should the attraction become the centre of another community outbreak.
‘‘The only reason [New Zealand’s Covid-19 response] has been such a success is the whole country has pulled together. We just want to continue the good work the team of five million has already done.’’
The tradition started with a couple of neighbours putting up lights before it evolved into a huge community-spirited endeavour, he said.
‘‘It only exists through the goodwill and community spirit.’’
Franklin Rd residents of 27 years Dona and GavinWhite, who along with Thorby were among the ‘‘originals’’ to start lighting up their homes, agreed it would be best to skip this year.
‘‘It’s not worth the safety of the people, everyone’s just conscious of trying to do the right thing,’’ Dona White said, adding that she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if someone got sick.
‘‘It’s very sad though, it’s a really great event that we all get a kick out of. We’ll go in with a bang next year when we’re hopefully in a Covid-free world.’’