Gearing up for drop to Level 2
IT’S Level 2, but not quite as we know it.
Many aspects of life are set to return to relative normality today, at least compared with Level 3, as restrictions on all of the country except Auckland are eased.
Many Dunedin City Council services will resume under Alert Level 2, including fees for parking.
Parking officers had been on call during Level 3 and they dealt with a few vehicles blocking driveways or parked on footpaths, but most motorists followed the rules, council community services general manager Simon Pickford said.
Most of the council's services and facilities were reopening today.
Face coverings would be required for everyone aged 12 and over in public indoor facilities such as libraries and visitors would need to supply contacttracing details and sanitise their hands before entering.
Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult said while Aucklanders would still not be able to travel to the district, Level 2 would generate more economic activity for local businesses. That included the district's skifields, which could reopen under Level 2.
Businesses were still being hit hard by the lack of Aucklanders, but that was being offset to some extent by the wage subsidy, he said.
Southland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sheree Carey said businesses were pleased to be in Level 2 and heading in the right direction.
A lack of clarity around some rules, and how long Level 2 might last, was making it tough for some.
But overall, they were looking forward to ‘‘a move back to some level of normality'', she said.
A 50person limit applies to
indoor venues such as cinemas and churches.
Dunedin Knox Presbyterian Church minister the Rev Dr Kerry Enright said its service would again be online this Sunday.
The church would take time to consider risks before deciding on the best way forward in Level 2.
The Otago Regional Council said inperson customer service points at Philip Laing House in Dunedin and on Terrace
Junction in Queenstown would reopen tomorrow.
Visitors had to wear face coverings and sign in to record their visit for contacttracing purposes.
Public transport networks in Dunedin and Queenstown were resuming normal timetables. Masks remain mandatory on the bus, and QR codes were on every bus for passengers to scan in.
Passengers were encouraged to use a Bee Card and top up online to minimise interaction with drivers.
Standing on the bus will not be permitted at Level 2.
Both Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago will continue to deliver their programmes online until Monday.
Polytechnic chief executive Dr Megan Gibbons said the decision to continue online was made to give students certainty, and to provide more time to implement the changes needed for Level 2.
‘‘Our Dunedin campus will be open to staff on Wednesday to prepare for the return of our students, but we are awaiting details from several government agencies in order to confirm our Alert Level 2 guidelines,’’ she said.
All staff and students would be required to complete a health and safety induction module relating to Level 2.
In a message to students, the university said online learning would be maintained for students who could not get back to Dunedin by Monday.
Schools and early childhood centres resume tomorrow.
Face coverings were not mandatory in schools.
However, directorgeneral of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield strongly encouraged staff and pupils aged 12 and above to wear face coverings in secondary school settings.
District court jury trials can restart today. High Court jury trials will resume on September 20.