Locals on the alert for level 1’s arrival

Coronavirus alert level 1 can’t come soon enough for New Plymouth MP Jonathan Young, and he’s not the only one in Taranaki champing at the bit.

Restrictions on gatherings will be removed and all current Covid-19 rules applying to businesses and services will lift under alert level 1, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.

Strict border restrictions will remain, and Cabinet will meet on Monday to decide if and when to move.

In an email, New Plymouth MP Jonathan Young said level 1 can’t come soon enough for businesses.

‘‘My view is that though we must maintain personal hygiene habits, we are past the point of ‘getting the balance right’ between managing the health risk at the risk of business collapsing,’’ he said. ‘‘Thousands of people are losing their jobs every week in New Zealand and that is becoming the new crisis.’’

The Taranaki region has not had an active case of coronavirus for more than three weeks. One active case remains in New Zealand. The Government has been under increasing pressure to drop levels, including from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Taranaki Chamber of Commerce chief executive Arun Chaudhari said the move to level one should happen as soon as possible.

‘‘There will be a lot of staff and workers that will be back on site.’’

That would create a vibrant atmosphere and cafe´s and restaurants will start to see more people coming in, he said.

New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom said it was time for Kiwis to pat themselves on the back. The zero restrictions on businesses would be welcome, he said. ‘‘We just need people who have got the disposable income to get out and get into those restaurants and bars and cafe´ s, and travel.’’

Stratford mayor Neil Volzke welcomed the outlined level 1 boundaries, and said we should already be there. In an emailed statement, South Taranaki mayor Phil Nixon said everyone had been working hard to get back to level 1 as soon as possible, when it was safe to do so.