Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Auckland Council's level 3 long weekend message

NZ Herald

21 Oct, 2021 09:25 PM7 mins to read

October 22 2021 New Zealand will move to a new "traffic light" system to manage Covid-19 when district health boards have 90 per cent of their eligible population vaccinated.

NOW PLAYING • Focus Live: PM Jacinda Ardern reveals NZ's new Covid traffic light system

Focus Live: PM Jacinda Ardern reveals NZ's new Covid traffic light system

As the City of Sails prepares for long weekend under level 3 regulations, Auckland Council has urged people to stay safe, keep in their bubbles and also take the chance to get vaccinated.

The council has listed 10 top tips for residents likely looking forward to a few days away from the computer screen or work in general.

Not only is the council asking for people to keep safe, but also remember the Covid-19 guidelines with the city in bespoke level 3.

1 - Stick to your bubbles

If you're planning to catch up with another bubble remember, it needs to be outside where there is much less chance of contagion.

Councillor Alf Filipaina, chairman of the council's parks, arts, community and events committee, asks people to keep their outdoor catch-ups to two bubbles only, with a maximum of 10 people.

"Although we're expecting a weekend of staying inside, with weather for the region looking gloomy, it's important to make sure you can get out and be active when you can and enjoy the eased restrictions safely.

"If the wet weather dampens your catch-up plans, do not move the gathering inside. Covid-19 is still in the community and the lack of ventilation inside makes it easy for the virus to spread.

"Continue to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and track your movements with the NZ COVID Tracer app.

"It's about keeping our whānau/aiga and community safe."

2 - Get vaccinated

Auckland Council is also asking anyone who has not been vaccinated to please do so as soon as possible.

"Vaccination is the best way we can keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe from Covid-19 and will help us move towards a lower level of restrictions."

3 - Stay local

You are allowed to travel throughout the Auckland region during the day for outdoor activities but staying local is advised as it helps to stop potential spread of the virus.

Travel to Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier islands for recreation is prohibited unless you are a resident of either of the islands. You are not able to go to the islands if they are not your primary place of residence.

Fullers360 crew will be reminding passengers of the restrictions that are in place and report any instances of non-compliance to police.

4 - Do not go to your holiday home

Staying at your bach or holiday home is also prohibited – the only reasons you can move into a different home is if you:

• are moving permanently, or long-term

• need to use a temporary or emergency home, for example for care while sick or to seek refuge from an unsafe domestic violence environment

• are required to by a court order

• are asked to by a person exercising a power under any enactment to order you to be detained, to change your place of detention, or determine your place of residence (for example, a direction of the New Zealand Parole Board or a probation officer)

• are going to your residence once your detention or determination ends.

5 - No overnight trips

Overnight stays at the bach, in AirBnB accommodation, going camping or staying with friends or family cannot happen.

Keep your bubble meetups and recreation activities to during the day, and make sure you return to your place of residence every night.

6 - Use public toilets respectfully

Over 500 of Auckland Council's public toilets are open to ensure they are available for the increased number of people carrying out essential work or permitted travel.

However, Auckland Council general manager community facilities Taryn Crewe says they have received many reports of toilets being blocked across the region.

"We've had people flushing nappies, sanitary products, wet wipes and even rocks and sticks.

"Some of our toilets use a septic tank system and flushing anything but toilet paper can cause serious blockages and damage the system. These facilities are clearly signposted, and bins are provided to dispose of wet wipes or sanitary products.

"Please do not flush anything that shouldn't be flushed, and we can keep these open for everyone's convenience."

7 - Be considerate of our regional parks

With the Auckland boundary closed, Aucklanders have been flocking to our parks since restrictions allowed. Weather permitting, we're expecting a large number of users to use our parks for their recreational activities this weekend.

However, the increase in visitor numbers has brought a corresponding increase in incidents.

More attacks [damage and vandalism] on kauri dieback-preventing hygiene stations have been reported, and non-compliance is on the rise.

Since Auckland went into alert level 4 lockdown, the council had issued eight bylaw breach notices in the Waitākere Ranges for accessing closed tracks, four warning notices across the region and six biosecurity compliance orders in the Hunua Ranges for breaches of the Controlled Area Notice (CAN).

Since Auckland went into Alert Level 4 lockdown, the council has issued eight bylaw breach notices in the Waitākere Ranges for accessing closed tracks. Photo / Outdoor Kid

Auckland Council manager proactive compliance Adrian Wilson says, "We will be out monitoring compliance again this weekend. So, if you intend visiting one of the parks, do the right thing; stay on open tracks, use the hygiene stations and follow Covid-19 guidelines."

8 - Enjoy one of our many walks

Weather permitting, a day walk is a great way to get out and active this weekend.

Auckland Council regional parks manager Scott de Silva reminds people that while parks across the region can be accessed by all Aucklanders, the region is still at alert level 3 meaning a limit on what type of walks can be done.

"All walks need to be day trips only on easy trails. Attempting more challenging tracks, especially if you have never done it before, is not a good idea. It is an unnecessary risk to yourself and to others."

De Silva encourages people to try to stay local if they can, especially if the weather is looking dicey.

"There are plenty of great walks to try out all over suburban Auckland, including a number of bush walks. Most of them are easy trails, are good for families, and are a great way to get started."

9 - Waitākere track and road closures

Storm damage is still affecting some tracks in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, with current track closures including:

• Ahuahu Track due to slip damage

• Karamatura Track lower loop and Karamatura Falls access due to flood damage

• Ussher Track due to a bridge washout

• Winstone Track due to a bridge washout

• Sections of the Te Henga Walkway, managed by DoC, have been re-opened from both the Constable Rd end and the Te Henga Rd end, although an area in between remains closed due to a slip. People will not be able to walk the length of the track and will have to return to the end they entered the track from.

• Whatipū Rd remains closed to everyone, apart from limited access to properties for local residents. Serious slips on the road have caused dangerous conditions so local residents are asked to please take care. Pedestrians are not allowed to use the road.

10 - Together at Home

With a wet weekend expected, it may be hard to keep tamariki [children] engaged and entertained inside.

Auckland Council's Together at Home campaign provides plenty of things to do, whether it is looking for an idea to help feed your mind; wanting to move your body in a new way; finding a new way to lift your spirits during this challenging time; or simply needing something different and exciting to do.