It was a few days early off the mark for two fishermen confronted by police at Waitangi Regional Park on Friday, but some water-based activities will be allowed at level 3 on Wednesday. Photo / NZME
It was a few days early off the mark for two fishermen confronted by police at Waitangi Regional Park on Friday, but some water-based activities will be allowed at level 3 on Wednesday. Photo / NZME
Fishermen itching to cast their lines out, like those caught by police along coastal Hawke's Bay, have only a few more days to wait out before it's allowed.
On Friday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the region, along with the rest of the country, except for Auckland and Northland, willmove to alert level 3 from 11.59pm on Tuesday.
The news came as the number of community cases related to the current Delta outbreak rose to 347 - 14 in Wellington and the remainder across Auckland.
As of Thursday morning, 62 contacts were listed on the National Contact Tracing Centre register as currently isolating in Hawke's Bay DHB region.
Bayleys Hawke's Bay principal James MacPherson confirmed that by late Friday all staff and partners who had been self-isolating after attending a national awards night - which was a location of interest - had been confirmed as returning two "negative" results.
More than 1000 people attended the function at Auckland's Spark Arena on August 13, most of whom were back in their regions by the time the issue was raised, after a bar staff member at both that function and a Mitre 10 function at the venue 24 hours earlier had tested positive for Covid.
MacPherson said all Bayleys staff throughout the country had tested negative.
"So it's good news, there are no cases at Bayleys," he said, highlighting the relief by adding, "Some people thought we all had Covid".
Police have generally been "pleased" with the public's behaviour across the region during alert level 4 despite reports of people flouting the rules including a group of snorkellers.
In one incident on Wednesday, police in Central Hawke's Bay were called to Kairakau Beach when a group of people was spotted snorkelling.
A police checkpoint on Havelock Rd. Photo / Warren Buckland
Senior Constable Andy Walker said a car-load of people had travelled from Flaxmere, Hastings, stating they had gone to the beach "to picnic".
"They said they didn't know they weren't meant to be snorkelling. There were five people in the water, all came out without argument and they didn't bring out any seafood."
Police are reminding the public all water-based activities are prohibited including swimming, surfing and scuba-diving during the level 4 lockdown.
Meanwhile, police charged a 33-year-old woman on Tuesday afternoon with disorderly behaviour and wilful trespass after an incident at a Napier retail premises.
Police have now undertaken 2248 pandemic-related activities across the Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti during lockdown.
Since lockdown began on August 18, Eastern District police have issued 63 fines to people flouting the rules - the majority of which were for failing to remain at home for a non-essential reason.
"One was for failing to wear a face covering on board a public transport service vehicle, one was for failing to comply with applicable physical distancing rules, and one was for failing to wear a face covering on premises."
Police have also received 461 reports of people flouting the rules since the lockdown began in the Eastern Police District, through their online reporting website.
No one has been charged with a Covid-related criminal offence.
Where police are finding breaches, they are initially engaging with the public and educating rather than punishing them.
Hawke's Bay Area Commander Inspector Lincoln Sycamore praised the behaviour of most people in the community.
"It is pleasing to see so many Hawke's Bay people staying home in their bubble and only heading out when they absolutely need to. I am really proud of our community making a real effort to stick to the rules about being out and about – keep up the good work Eastern District."
What the move means for you?
While alert level 3 means people are still expected to lockdown at home, household bubbles can be expanded to include family or isolated people from one other bubble.
Children of essential workers unable to find alternative care, can attend school or other childcare services.
Travel remains only to access essential services or for exercise. Travel between regions is heavily restricted.
At alert level 3, low-risk activities close to home are allowed, though more high risk ones which may require rescue or medical services is only for the experienced.
This includes: - Experienced surfers at their local break - Day walks, on easy trails for trampers (DoC huts and campsites are closed) - Experienced mountain bikers - Experienced swimmers - Experienced horse riders
Hunting on public or private land is allowed, but must be within the region and on foot. Hunters cannot stay overnight.
Those kayaking, canoeing, rowing, surfing, wind surfing or paddle boarding must stay within 200m of the shore.
People can fish, including whitebaiters, from a wharf or the shore but cannot cast off the rocks or fish from a boat. Water-based activities involving sailing boats, motorised boats or other craft like jet skis, and scuba diving are not allowed.
Event cancellations and postponements as lockdown extended
Cafes, restaurants and takeaways, and food delivery services, can open at alert level 3, but only for contactless pick-up, delivery or drive through.
However, the only events allowed at alert level 3 are weddings, funerals and tangihanga, with a maximum of 10 people.
A launch of the popular F.A.W.C! (Food and Wine Classic) programme set for Monday will now move online on Tuesday at fawc.co.nz, while the event itself, set for the first week of November remains the same.
The Hawke's Bay Home and Garden Show set down for next weekend has been postponed, new dates TBC.
The Young Winemaker of the Year North Island Competition Awards dinner has too.
