Praise for locked down district
Mayor and police pleased with residents’ efforts during level 4
As alert level 4 remains in place until 11.59pm this Friday, August 27, Central Hawke’s Bay’s mayor and police are pleased with how the district is coping so far.
Police are praising the district’s levels of compliance, residents are taking to Facebook to thank supermarket owners and staff, and Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Alex Walker has expressed her own and her council’s thanks to all essential workers in the region, including agricultural services, whose workers “work really hard and are now toiling under extra restrictions”.
Mayor Walker said, “I think in
Central Hawke’s Bay we have a positive attitude and people have transitioned easily to this latest lockdown.
“Of course it’s still challenging but we know how to do it, and although we’d love it to rain I think the sunshine has helped with people’s positivity.
“One cool thing has been seeing how CHB people have responded to the call to be vaccinated. The DHB can’t keep up with the level of demand and we’re hoping to see more pop-up vaccination clinics happen in the district.”
CHB Police say that lockdown level 4 compliance has been good in CHB, although police have had to approach and speak with “a few people who were out and about”, including some at local beaches.
CHB police officer in charge Sergeant Neil Baker said that so far no prosecutions or infringement notices had been issued in CHB due to breaches of lockdown and he urged people to “educate yourselves about the lockdown rules. We ask people to be patient and considerate during what are tough times”.
Here’s a recap of everything you need to know to keep safe: Essential reasons for leaving the home briefly include:
■ Physical exercise in your neighbourhood
■ Visiting the supermarket, dairy or pharmacy
■ Necessary medical care or getting a test
Medical officer of health Dr Nicholas Jones urged people to get tested if they felt unwell, adding the Delta variant was highly contagious.
“There is capacity at all the testing centres and people should be able to get a booking relatively quickly,” Jones said.
He also reiterated the importance of wearing masks when leaving home, now mandatory.
“We know how easily the Delta variant of Covid-19 can spread. No one should leave their home without a mask.”
Legally people must wear a face covering if they are a customer or employee at businesses and services operating at alert level 4, including supermarkets, petrol stations, pharmacies, healthcare facilities and on public transport.
The vaccine rollout has resumed and anyone aged 40 or over can get their vaccine. Parents and caregivers can also book in 12- to 15-year-olds to receive their vaccination at the same time.
Booking can be done through bookmyvaccine.nz.
Covid symptoms include cold or flu-like illness with one or more of the following: a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny nose or loss of smell.
Central Hawke’s Bay residents who have been at a location of interest at the times stated should call Healthline 0800 358 5453 for details on what to do and if testing is advised.
Health Hawke’s Bay District Health Board has reinstated its no-visitor policy at all facilities, including Wairoa Hospital and CHB Medical, until further notice.
The main entrance to Hawke’s Bay Hospital is closed and the only entry is via the Emergency Department entrance. Masks must be worn at all times at Hawke’s Bay DHB sites and will be provided if people don’t have them. Hand sanitiser stations are visible and must also be used.
The Emergency Department remains open but no support people or visitors will be allowed unless they have dispensation from the clinical nurse manager.
Urgent life-saving and acute surgery will continue as normal. Most planned elective surgery will be postponed and rescheduled. If you haven’t heard from the DHB, assume your surgery or outpatient clinic has been postponed. Renal patients are asked to attend their dialysis appointments as normal, alongside cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Women in labour should follow their care plan as described by their lead maternity carer. The DHB’s maternity facilities will remain open but closed to visitors. Only one support person with a woman in labour will be allowed on site.
Gastroenterology and all radiology appointments — other than those needing acute care — will be postponed and rescheduled. If you haven’t heard from the DHB assume your appointment has been postponed. Likewise, all dental appointments will be postponed and rescheduled. General practice clinics and pharmacies are still open, though there will be some changes.