‘Act like you have Covid-19’
PM’s last message before nation’s level 4 lockdown: ‘Breaking the rules could kill someone close to you’
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has a simple message for Kiwis — “Act like you have Covid-19” and stay at home.
“Breaking the rules could kill someone close to you.”
It could also see the lockdown period extended beyond four weeks, she said.
Ardern yesterday gave her final press conference before the nationwide lockdown started at midnight last night to fight against coronavirus.
Ardern said as the lockdown takes hold, police will move around the country and ask questions of people outside of their homes. They will ask people about their activities.
People without a valid reason to be outside can be reminded of their obligations, she said.
People just getting fresh air should be able to without being told to go home by police, and some common sense was needed in their approach.
The prospect of police and the military on New Zealand streets might be daunting, but Ardern said they were there to help, and their first approach would be about asking questions and reminding people of their self-isolation requirements.
“People shouldn’t afraid of that.”
Police will be the primary source of support for the community, and they had good numbers with stations nationwide.
People will want to get some fresh air, but any common space like a surface at a playground presented risk.
When asked about whether people could go hunting or fishing, Ardern said to stay home.
“Act like you have Covid-19, it will help guide your decisions.”
She said people may not be working, but they had a job and that was to stay at home.
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“I know how hard this will be, especially for New Zealanders who face the first day unemployed and with an uncertain future.”
She pointed to the measures the Government has made to save jobs and businesses, and to help home owners and renters.
“It won’t be easy, but the alternative is worse.
“You are not alone.
“You will hear us and see us daily as we guide New Zealanders through this period.”
She said success will not be instant, the number of cases will continue to rise, and modelling suggested that the number of cases could reach the thousands before dropping.
She said the alert level could be dropped again if the number of cases declined — though that would take some time.
The nature of cases was also important, including how widespread community transmission was.
There were 50 new confirmed or probable cases yesterday, bringing the total to 205.
Community transmission is attached to cases in Marist College and from the World Hereford Cattle conference in Queenstown, while there are four other cases of community transmission.
Covid-19, left unchecked, would have an unacceptable toll.