Nightlife returns
Palmerston North partiers were out in full force at the weekend as alert level 1 allowed clubs to reopen their doors.
Dancers, young and old, came out in their hundreds for their first chance at nightlife normality in three months.
The Government announced last Monday that all restrictions would be lifted that evening at 11.59pm, placing New Zealand effectively back into normality, other than the continued border restrictions.
The crowds were quick to move past the nation’s earlier social distancing rules, bunching together on The Daily’s dance floor like a pack of sardines.
House parties were a good way to reunite friends after weeks away from each other under level 4 and 3.
But there’s something special about jumping in unison with hundreds of other intoxicated people as you scream the lyrics of an early 2000s track to amate who screams them right back at you.
‘‘For all we know, we might not get tomorrow; let’s do it tonight,’’ rang out across The Daily on Friday night, its debut back into trading after closing its doors for months. A line of eager nightclub fiends stretched through Berrymans Lane to Main St before the club even opened at 11pm on Friday, The Daily’s general manager Shelly Bishop said.
The club had been unable to reopen under level 2 as a limit of 100 people and social distancing rulesmade it impossible to manage.
‘‘I think everyone’s just excited to have a bit of freedom and chance to meet up with everyone again, ‘‘ Bishop said.
It was like freedom again, Lily Alabaster said. Under level 2, the 18-year-old was found in The Office nearby enjoying a tame evening out with her friends, but this weekend was chaotic in the best way.
Across the way, down Regents Arcade, Bubbles’ social distancing seating arrangements had gone out the window as people threatened to spill over the barriers in the smokers’ areas.
Leoni Calnan, 41, was enjoying a night out.
‘‘It’s actually really nice to have a night out with the girls and have a good time.’’
With zero cases of Covid-19 for 23 days, there was nothing to worry about anymore, she said.
Inside, manager Aaron Hooper and his team were run off their feet as they poured countless drinks for the hordes of partiers bar-hopping their way across town.
Staff had managed to keep drinkers under control in level 2, but going back to the status quo was a relief.
‘‘It’s absolutely amazing,’’ Hooper said. ‘‘It was so stressful just having to contain people when all they want to do is party.’’