Wellingtonians return to the city on Wednesday morning. Photo / Jack Crossland
Wellingtonians return to the city on Wednesday morning. Photo / Jack Crossland
Traffic is increasing, shops are reopening and people are returning to work as Wellington wakes up to level 2 on Wednesday.
Along with the rest of the country outside Auckland, the capital moved to alert level 2 at 11.59pm on Tuesday night.
Owner of French Barbers Jason Hurier on LambtonQuay in Wellington is surprised at how few people are around, and expected there to be a rush of customers.
"I expected more people waiting, last year we had a queue of 20 people at 8am. I think a lot of people are still at home," he said.
"We are booked today but with not as many people waiting for bookings as compared to last year. Last year was crazy – it was the busiest time I've ever had in 15 years of experience."
He said they were adapting to the new Delta level 2 rules and glad to be open again.
"Level 3 and 4 is terrible for us – we can't open, but we still have to deal with the bills.
"It's frustrating but we're glad to be open again and glad to see our clients here to support us."
Workers returning to Wellington city on the first day of alert level 2. Photo / Jack Crossland
Wellington friends Owen and Leilani were enjoying sitting down for breakfast together again in the city, for the first time in three weeks.
"It's pretty quiet here, not a lot of people around," Owen said.
"But the ones that are seem pretty happy to be out which is nice to see."
His friend Leilani said they had ordered three breakfasts to make up for all the money they had saved in lockdown.
"I really miss seeing people, that's the most important thing for me," she said.
"It's still pretty quiet – people are masked up and doing their bit."
Under Alert Level 2, most of Council’s services and facilities will return to normal operations, but contact tracing, mask wearing and some restrictions will be in place to keep staff and the community safe.
◼️ Face coverings are legally required for everyone 12 years and older. ◼️ Standing isn't allowed on services. Sitting directly next to someone is allowed. ◼️ Check in as soon as you board the service. ◼️ Stay home if you're sick. pic.twitter.com/9GkqGIr7LF
— Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency news (@WakaKotahi_news) September 7, 2021
Steve Cox said he was happiest for the young people.
"It's fantastic for everyone, and it gets the economy going. People aren't made to sit at home, especially young people."
"I'm happy for the young people out there working and doing stuff."
He said he was very grateful New Zealand had gone hard and early with Delta.
Traffic on Wellington's streets is beginning to resemble pre-lockdown levels. Photo / Jack Crossland
"We've got it easy here, New Zealand's had it really easy. I've got friends in England who have had it ten times worse than us."
Sean Cockburn, who worked in construction, said his job would get much easier in level 2.
"it's just a bit easier now really - easier around site and easier to get materials.
"It's good Auckland has opened up because we were sort of running out of gear for the team and that backlog's going to be going for the next two months I reckon."
"But it's business as usual, everyone just has to pull up their socks and keep going."
He said he was most excited for an "eggs benedict and a visit to the pub".
✨ A huge shout out to all our door screening teams at our hospitals. ✨
Thank you for help to protect our patients, whānau and staff during this time.
Council facilities such as libraries and pools have reopened at alert level 2, but Capital and Coast DHB has advised they will be continuing to restrict visitors at Wellington and Hutt Valley Hospital emergency departments.
Patients are asked to bring only one support person with them into the emergency department waiting room.
