City slow to awaken to level 2
Wellington woke up with a stretch and a yawn rather than a leap-outof-bed.
Yesterday, the city cracked an eyelid, hit snooze on the alarm clock and snuggled in for another 40 winks. Eventually it got up, rubbed the sleep from its eyes and shuffled half-asleep and warily into the confusing new dawn.
Wellington is awake, someone get it a coffee.
Seven hours after New Zealand shifted into level 2, the commuter rush into Wellington city isn’t rushing at all.
As near-empty buses and trains follow their usual routes, passengers who would usually have to stand in the aisles find themselves with a train carriage or whole bus to sit in.
Aboard the 7.15am train from Johnsonville a man sitting in a sea of empty seats crinkles his eyes above a blue face mask.
‘‘I’m not sure if I’m taking my life into my hands doing this, I’ve never been so nervous to get on a train before.’’
At the Wellington Train Station the normal commuter crush gives way to a cautious crowd keen to avoid each other.
A woman with a scarf wrapped around her face widens her eyes as she hangs back from the fastflowing group of strangers.
‘‘This is the first time in ages I’ve been surrounded by so many people . . . it’s quite scary isn’t it?’’
Outside the station in the spot usually occupied by buskers or charity collectors, Mike Leigh is selling face masks made by his wife.
‘‘I think it’s a good idea to wear them on public transport, eh?’’
If level 3 was defined by the return of fried chicken and takeaway coffee then level 2 is marked by the resurrection of haircuts.
By 8.30am, the chairs in Prince Barbers on Featherston St are already full and a couple of men wait their turn.
Haider Altasht says the barbers are in for a busy day.
‘‘It’s going to be a long one.’’ At Synergy Hair on Willis St, customers peak around the door like frightened rabbits until Logan McMillan assures them they can indeed come inside.
McMillan says level 2 is anything but business as usual and social distancing rules mean his salon is operating well below capacity. ‘‘Despite that, it’s retail I’m worried about. If people aren’t coming to work in the city then they aren’t buying in the city.’’
The salon is well stocked with PPE. The use of it is up to clients and none have wanted it so far.
Just along the street the La Cloche cafe, crew are refining their new system of serving customers.
People wait for takeaway coffees outside while those dining in are served from tables where slips of paper wait to be filled out with names and numbers.
Manager Jennifer Guiraud said it was good to see people in the cafe´ again.
Wellington’s first day of level 2 is more like a Sunday than a Thursday, Joyce McIntosh says as she shops for a new book.
She’s popped into a few shops this morning and marvels at the new normal of having to leave her name and number at each one.
‘‘I’ve just been telling my friend that it’s been a long time since so many young men asked for my number.’’
Unlike level 3 and the reopening of takeaway joints, there are hardly any lines for the CBD’s shops. Below ground the Taste on Willis St food hall is a vast empty space of shining floors.
At the Tulsi counter, Santosh Bajrachanya says the tables and chairs have been cleared out for social distancing but so far the customers are staying away.
‘‘Maybe in a couple of days it will be different. ‘Welcome back’, we’ll say.’’