Not too much traffic going north on Levin's Oxford Street on Wednesday morning at 9.30am.
Now that the entire country is back under lockdown level 4, what does that look like for Horowhenua? Apart from deserted streets, dark offices and shops, and lines at the supermarket ...
In Horowhenua, all Horowhenua District Council facilities, including the main office in Levin, and libraries, are closed from Wednesday, August 18. Council's public toilets and playground facilities are also closed.
The Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MWCDEM) Group has activated to respond to the national COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown that started Tuesday night at 11.59pm.
MWCDEM Group controller Craig Grant said while the Ministry of Health is the lead agency for a pandemic response, civil defence has a role to play in ensuring all responding agencies are connected.
"As MWCDEM Group lead, Horizons will provide regional co-ordination and support to all relevant agencies within the region," said Grant.
"For the Horizons region this includes four district health boards – MidCentral, Whanganui, Lakes and Waikato – the region's city and district councils, emergency services, and government agencies such as the Ministry of Social Development.
"On Wednesday morning we are assessing the latest information and putting our response plan into action."
Grant said while there have been no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Horizons region, the community can be assured of local preparedness.
"This includes determining what resourcing we may need for a welfare response.
"In addition to activating the ECC, Horizons has been assessing our business continuity plans for a pandemic.
"We have also ensured we have capacity to resource any other civil defence emergency such as a flood or earthquake during this period."
Horizons transport manager Mark Read said passenger transport services remain in place with full bus timetables operating on Wednesday.
"Buses are available for essential workers and access to essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies only," said Read.
"We are assessing a possible reduction in services for the remaining lockdown period and will put out further information today."
MidCentral DHB said it will continue to provide essential health services to the community following the Government's announcement of an escalation in alert levels in response to a community case of Covid-19.
MidCentral District Health Board chief executive Kathryn Cook said people and whānau could feel reassured the DHB would still provide essential and urgent healthcare services to the community during this time.
"I understand this will be an uncertain time for many people in our community and we are doing everything we can to support the MidCentral population at this time.
"Healthcare services are essential and we will continue to provide care to those who need it the most."
Ms Cook said acute services would continue to be provided, such as the emergency department.
"All non-urgent care will be postponed during lockdown. This includes elective surgeries and appointments and efforts to contact affected patients are under way.
"Cancer services will also continue under strict health and safety measures and patients should continue with their scheduled appointments. Renal dialysis will also continue. The St John Shuttle services will continue to be available for these patients."
MidCentral is adopting a no-visitor policy for level 4. There are a few notable exceptions:
• Parent or guardian supporting a child
• Nominated person supporting a terminal or severely ill patient
• Nominated person supporting a birthing mother
The nominated person must:
• Be one person from same household and visit one patient a day
• Not be under 16
• Not connected to a confirmed Covid-19 case
• Not be awaiting test results for Covid-19.
People visiting MidCentral DHB facilities, including Palmerston North Hospital and Horowhenua Health Centre, are also asked to ensure they scan or sign in on arrival and must wear a mask.
Covid-19 testing will continue to be available at 575 Main St, Palmerston North. The site is open Monday to Friday,9am to 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 2pm.
Covid-19 vaccinations are being paused for 48 hours as we establish processes to ensure that we can continue to vaccinate people safely. Those with booked appointments will be contacted over the next few days to rebook their vaccine.
MidCentral DHB chief medical officer Dr Kelvin Billinghurst said the advice to minimise the spread of the Covid-19 virus remains the same.
"Cover coughs and sneezes, wash and dry your hands thoroughly especially after coughing or sneezing, and stay at home if you are sick.
"Please remember to get tested if you're feeling unwell, maintain good personal hygiene, wear masks in public and maintain physical distancing of at least two metres, where practicable.
"If you are experiencing symptoms you should contact the dedicated Healthline number - 0800 358 5453."
Further information about Covid-19 can be found on the Ministry of Health website: www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
Horowhenua District Council will continue to operate the following essential services:
Customer service contact centres
Although council customer service centres are closed to walk-ins, you can still contact them by email at enquiries@horowhenua.govt.nz or by phone on 06 366 0999. Lots of services and information on the website, www.horowhenua.govt.nz
Rubbish and recycling services
All kerbside rubbish collections will continue.
Contractors will no longer be picking up separate recycling. Households should fill their recycling bin with recyclable items first, once full then recycling can go into general waste.
If you do not have a kerbside rubbish and recycling collection service, please contact our Customer Experience team for advice about your area.
· Foxton Transfer Station: Closed to the public
· Shannon Transfer Station: Closed to the public
· Levin Transfer and Recycling Station: Closed to the public
· Static recycling stations: These will be closed or removed.
You can buy Council rubbish bags from the normal locations (aside from Council service centres).
Water supply, wastewater and stormwater services
These services will continue.
Civil defence and emergency management
These services will continue.
Parks, reserves, cemeteries, playgrounds and public toilets
Parks, reserves and cemeteries remain open, but playgrounds and public toilets are closed.
Reserving the adjoining vacant plot at time of interment application is not currently available.
Mowing and general maintenance have ceased, except where there are safety concerns. Litter bins will continue to be emptied.
Library services
Although physical libraries are closed, we have a world of e-books, e-audio books, and fascinating databases for you to discover with Your Library online. If you're not a Libraries Horowhenua cardholder, you can sign up for e-membership online. Visit tetakere.org.nz/Your-Library to explore what's on offer.
Council libraries have extended loans on all books, magazines, DVDs and jigsaws, so please keep any items you have on loan at home. There will be no fines for any items returned late while our community centres are closed due to COVID-19.
Swimming pools
Levin Aquatic Centre and Foxton Heated Pools are closed.
Council will contact people who have booked swimming lessons with Streamline Swim School directly.
Community centres
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, and Shannon Library are closed.
Animal control
Animal control will respond to priority calls. The dog pound is closed to the public but remains operational. Dog registration renewals can be paid online via the council's website.
Planning (resource) consents
Council are continuing to process resource consents where possible. Site visits are not taking place, which may cause some delays in processing applications. Site visits will be resumed as soon as practicable once the restrictions are lifted.
Building consents
Council are continuing to process building consents where possible. They are not taking any bookings for building inspections at present and no building inspections are taking place.
Noise control
Council are continuing to receive and respond to noise control complaints 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Roading services
Council will continue to carry out urgent essential maintenance and respond to emergency call-outs.
Parking
Parking services have stopped.
Strategic planning
You can still contact council by email or phone to discuss current projects and District Plan Changes.
Finance
You can still contact council to discuss any enquiries you have about rates, payments, invoices and other Council financial matters.
Although our customer service centres are closed to walk ins, you can still contact council to progress your rates rebates application. Visit Horowhenua.govt.nz/ratesrebates for more information or to download an application form, email at ratesrebates@horowhenua.govt.nz, or phone 06 366 0999.
Community development
Urgent community support is continuing. Meetings are not taking place. Email commdev@horowhenua.govt.nz for more information.
Information management services
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA), Land Information Memorandum (LIM) and Property File requests will continue to be processed.
Details for submitting these requests are available on council's website.
