Residents appear to be making the most of level 3 freedom in Tauranga by enjoying the sunshine and heading to the beach - but is everyone following the rules?
Tauranga City Council reports alert level 3 traffic flows were around 64 per cent of pre-Covid levels.
A local bus driverbelieves "a lot" of people on the roads don't need to be.
The bus driver, who spoke to the Bay of Plenty Times on the condition of anonymity, said there was a "steady" amount of traffic on the road today.The driver said working at alert level 4 was relaxing because less traffic was on the roads: "It was like being on holiday without being on holiday."
Vehicles on Hewletts Rd this Thursday. Photo / George Novak
He said driving at level 3 was a "tricky adjustment after two weeks of quiet".
Pāpāmoa mum Yvonne Pietersen was enjoying the sunshine at Mount Main Beach with her two children this morning."It actually felt like a normal day," she said. "It was a beautiful day, so I thought we would make the most of it."
She said the roads were "very busy" compared to a few days ago when the region was in alert level 4.
"I have noticed the drive down was a lot busier than it has been lately."
She said most beachgoers were practising safe social distancing.
Pietersen, who only moved to the Bay of Plenty with her family in early August, was hopeful the region would move down alert levels soon.
Pāpāmoa mum Yvonne Pietersen with Kylie, 5, and Michael, 10, at Mt Maunganui Main Beach. Photo / George Novak
Tauranga City Council general manager, community services Gareth Wallis said at alert level 3 traffic flows were looking to be around 64 per cent of pre-Covid levels in Tauranga.
Overall the roads were busier this lockdown compared with the last year's, he said.
"Around the region we saw about 8 per cent more traffic this alert level 4, and 6 per cent more traffic in alert level 3 so far."
Image 1 of 5: Some early birds were at 11th Ave McDonalds first thing this morning. Photo / George Novak
Wallis said despite Mauao's tracks being closed, the council had noticed a number of people accessing it at alert level 3.
"When we see people breaching the barriers to access Mauao we notify the police."
The Wave Cafe co-owner Grace Sims said some customers seemed more "relaxed" about wearing face masks. She put that down to the business being outdoors.
"Because we are open-air and not a cafe, some people are less inclined to wear a face mask."
Marine Parade at alert level 3. Photo / George Novak
However, she said customers were keeping a safe distance from each other.
She said many were stopping by for a coffee or icecream while walking or before heading out for a surf.
Since reopening, Sims said morning had started out quiet, with activity picking up throughout the day.
"I think people are enjoying slower starts to the day. But it is definitely getting busier throughout the day."
Rowe Motors operations manager Jason King said company drivers had reported an increase in traffic since the shift to level 3.
"As far as traffic gets, it is sort of almost in-between level 2 and level 3. There is a fair amount of traffic out there."
Traffic on Maunganui Road at alert level 3. Photo / George Novak
Police were not able to provide data about compliance in level 3 in the Bay of Plenty.
University of Waikato professor of population health Ross Lawrenson said it was important for people to exercise over lockdown but it needed to be done sensibly.
"It's a matter of not going too far from your home and not contacting with other people, especially if you're without a mask," he said.
"If you're putting yourself at risk and [hurt] yourself so that people need to come and rescue you, that's not a great scenario. People need to think sensibly."
Lawrenson thought there was no chance the Bay of Plenty would move to level 1 before moving down to level 2.
"The test will be when we go to level 2 and we'll need to be sure there's no risk of community transmission before we do that."
Tauranga clinical psychologist Dr Dianne Lees said temptation is a common desire that challenged everyone; however, it can be controlled by what we tell ourselves.
The psychology behind this is the shifting of the focus from ourself to the wider community and understanding our thoughts drive our feelings and feelings drive behaviour.
"If our thoughts are around our personal desires and frustrations we're likely to feel resentful and entitled. These feelings drive us to behaviours that may break Covid-19 rules and put us all at risk."
Lees' tips for managing temptation of Covid-19 restrictions
• Acknowledge our feelings: "Lockdown is tough and I need to get out for exercise".
• Tell yourself what positive/legal activity you can do: "I can bike/walk in my local area".
• Finally, make a statement of the benefits of keeping the rules: "Covid-19 restrictions won't last forever. I am doing this to keep myself, my whānau and my community safe. Together we will get through this. I am doing my part."
• Kia Kaha. Stay positive, do your part, keep yourself and others safe.
