Omicron is continuing to creep into the community with 34 new cases of the highly-infectious variant reported today. Video / NZ Herald
Two flights between Nelson and Auckland have been added to the ever-growing list of locations of interest connected to at least one person with Omicron.
Flight NZ5084 from Nelson to Auckland at 5.50pm on January 18 and flight NZ8087 from Auckland to Nelson at 8.10pm on January 23 have been added.
Anyone who travelled on either of those flights is now considered to be a close contact and must self isolate and get tested for Covid immediately and again on day five after being exposed.
Meanwhile, the Ballantynes Department Store in central Christchurch has temporarily closed its doors out of caution due to Covid-19.
A spokesperson said although the store is not currently a location of interest, they have decided to close the physical store for three days as well as cancel the in-store availability of The Sale, which will now be online.
"Thank you for your continued support and understanding during this time," they said.
"If you were planning on visiting us instore to shop The Sale, we are now exclusively running this online, ending on Sunday, January 30. Phone orders will also be available during store hours on 0800 656 400."
Ballantynes CEO Maria O'Halloran said it was difficult but an easy decision to make in the end.
"I understand there is huge disappointment but we believed that we could just not crowd control in a safe manner.
"We had discussed should there be any cases in Canterbury, and we were notified yesterday in the news there were four cases, we would move to the decision to operate online and over the phone."
She said customers have been generally very supportive.
"We have a lot of trust and loyalty in the community. We really see this as us looking after our community just like they've looked after us for the last 160-odd years."
Chairperson of the Christchurch Central Business Association Annabel Turley said she has been inundated with calls for worried business owners following Ballantynes' announcement.
"A lot of them said it feels like lockdown yet again and there's no light at the end of the tunnel.
"All of the office workers are working from home so everywhere is open but with no customers," she said.
The Ballantynes Department Store in central Christchurch has temporarily closed its doors out of caution of Covid-19. Photo / Supplied
Turley said they are concerned about the negative impact it will have on people's confidence in the city.
"I think, for a lot of the concerned business owners who rely on everyone working together and being open, they are just really worried about the negative impact it will have."
And there are two new locations of interest in Christchurch following the announcement of four cases in Cantebury yesterday.
