Kiwis cautiously pop the bubbles
No new cases reported yesterday as stores, malls, cafes and restaurants reopen
Kiwis cautiously crept out of their bubbles for the first day of level 2 and while cafes reported a slow start, hairdressers were chopping unruly mops from the stroke of midnight.
Yesterday saw New Zealand back in business with stores, malls, cafes and restaurants able to reopen, while following physical distancing and hygiene rules.
As the morning progressed the roads and cafes started to fill as commuters returned to work.
Carparks were also filling at malls around the country as shoppers headed out.
The Herald was at Westfield Albany just after 9am and found checkout queues with at least 50 people long at Kmart.
But some retailers reported fewer customers than expected, particularly in cafes which were opening their doors for the first time since the country went into lockdown seven weeks ago.
Those at the till from Takapuna to Balclutha said the first day of level 2 had been quieter than expected, with some reiterating a nationwide call for Kiwis to support local business.
Under level 2 people can dine in as long as businesses follow rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Fitness fanatics have to wait a little longer before being let back through the doors of some of the country’s most popular gyms.
Les Mills opens today, while City Fitness opens on Monday.
Fitness centres are expected to be busy, with limited space due to physical distancing, possible queues to get in or booking-only attendance in some venues, along with strict bring your own towel policies.
In another sign of a return to the way things were two months ago, Queenstown, the country’s tourism magnet, welcomed four flights yesterday.
Queenstown Airport’s operations and safety manager Michael Clay said it was an exciting day to have four flights arrive and depart.
The airport would usually have about 40 a day at this time of the year.
Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult welcomed the return of domestic visitors with a sunrise bungy jump off Kawarau Bridge with AJ Hackett
Bungy.
“We need to remember those who have lost their jobs, those whose businesses are struggling, the migrant folk who may not be here in the future. A lot of pain,” Boult said.
It was a quiet day on the Covid19 front, with no new cases recorded for the third consecutive day.
New Zealand’s combined total of confirmed and probable cases remained at 1497, with 1411 people having recovered — 94 per cent overall.
Two people were receiving hospital-level care, one each in Auckland and Middlemore hospitals. Neither were in ICU.
The Ministry of Health revised its definition of a “closed cluster”, or small outbreak of 10 or more people.
The ministry had previously closed four clusters as they had been through two full transmission periods, the equivalent of 28 days, since their last case was notified.
This had been changed to two full transmission periods since the last case completed their isolation period, meaning even though there had been no new disease activity the clusters were now being classed as open.
Director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield said New Zealanders were on track for elimination but, with an ongoing risk of a second wave, he urged people to remain vigilant.