Time to shake off level four?

Covid-19 alert level 4 has been a drag.

Tomorrow, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will tell us if we have to stick with it beyond 11.59pm on Wednesday, or if we’ll instead be shaking off its heavy impositions for the slightly less suffocating level 3.

Here are some of the changes you can expect:

Bubble: Staying home under level 4 has meant staying in your own “bubble”. For most of us, that meant not mixing with anyone we don’t live with. That would change in a move to level 3 — but don’t go crazy. Your bubble can grow “a small amount” to re-connect with close family, bring in caregivers or support the isolated.

Funerals and weddings will be allowed but must be limited to 10 people and involve services only. Libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds and markets, remain closed.

Food: Time to cruise back under those golden arches — takeaway food, including drive through and delivery — will be allowed as long as the business can take orders and payment through an app or online. No dining-in.

Work: From home if you can. Businesses can reopen, but must follow health and safety requirements around physical distancing and contactless engagement.

Retail, hardware stores and restaurants could open but only for online/phone orders and contactless delivery or click and collect.

Those accessed only by staff, such as building and construction or forestry, could also open but must practise physical distancing.

Healthcare services should use virtual consultations where possible. Primary care continues to be open.

Recreation: Local activities you can do safely, and don’t involve interacting with others, or equipment they touched, will be allowed — swimming, surfing and fishing from shore. Boating and jetskis remain banned as is travel to holiday homes.

Travel within your own region is ok, but inter-regional travel is be restricted to essential workers, with limited exemptions.

● Education confusion, P12