Allied Security officer Trish Brightwell (left) is on duty at one of the security entrances at Rotorua Central Mall. Photo / Andrew Warner
Allied Security officer Trish Brightwell (left) is on duty at one of the security entrances at Rotorua Central Mall. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rotorua business owners and business leaders are reporting generally high compliance with people wearing face masks.
However, one security firm owner says due to increased alert level 2 restrictions lots more people were being quite vocal about their frustration over having to do so.
Watchdog Security Group personnel operate atup to 20 sites in Tauranga and Rotorua.
Owner Brett Wilson said generally there had been a high level of compliance with mask-wearing at those sites with no major problems enforcing the mask-wearing rule.
However, he said a lot of people were "reluctantly" wearing masks rather than happily accepting that it was mandatory.
"A lot more people are openly expressing their frustration about the need to wear a mask and also remaining in alert level 2 when there are no Delta cases in this region."
There was definitely an "undercurrent of dissatisfaction" with the restrictions and some people were finding it "very tough" which was impacting their mental wellbeing.
Wilson's comments come on the heels of last week's arrest of a man at Rotorua Central Mall after he allegedly refused to wear a mask when asked to do so by a security guard.
The man also allegedly refused to give his identification details to the police.
Another incident at a Tauranga supermarket prompted one shopper to phone the police.
David Sutton was shopping at the Pak'nSave in Tauriko on Thursday afternoon when he witnessed an unmasked man screaming at staff.
"[The staff] should not have to put up with this nonsense. He just went crazy," Sutton told the Rotorua Daily Post.
"He was abusive to the girl at the entrance and just went inside and went about his business doing his shopping."
When Sutton reached the checkout he noticed the man again.
"I saw him being extremely offensive."
Rotorua Central Mall general manager Peter Faulkner said since moving to alert level 2 there had been a high degree of compliance with the mandatory mask-wearing rule by most mall visitors.
"Aside from the man arrested last week, we have had very few other incidents of people refusing to wear a face mask, and unless they have an exemption they are turned away."
Faulkner said visitors needed to understand that the security guards were just doing their job to enforce the Government's Covid-19 rules.
Rotorua Central Mall general manager Peter Faulkner. Photo /NZME
"It is very difficult but most people arrive at one of our three security entrances wearing their mask or having it on their person to put on before they enter," he said.
"It would be a great help if everyone visiting the mall was kind to our guards and did the right things by wearing a mask, and also signing in or using the Covid contact tracer app."
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Bryce Heard said so far he had received no complaints from chamber members about mask-wearing non-compliance.
Heard said compliance on the streets in and around the central business district in recent days showed "very few" people not wearing masks, which was great to see.
However, he noticed that a few people were also not using the contact tracing app or signing in, which was vital if there was a Delta outbreak in the district.
"It's important that we all do the right things to protect ourselves from the risk and that includes getting vaccinated."
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce CEO Bryce Heard. Photo / NZME
Fat Dog Cafe & Bar owner Micheal Martin said aside from the odd person who has had to be reminded, 98 to 99 per cent of people were doing the right things.
Zippy Central owner Aman Saini said the large majority of his customers, many of whom were regulars, were wearing masks when they arrive at his cafe.
Saini said it was also great to see a high degree of compliance with the Covid-19 contact tracing requirements.
"I would estimate under 2 per cent of our visitors have refused to wear a mask, but we haven't had any significant incidents when we ask someone to leave," he said.
Nutech Security's managing director Keith Margan said he received daily reports about any incidents from his security guards and so far there had been no issues of this nature.
Margan said his guards operated at various premises in Tauranga and Rotorua under the Covid-19 protocols and in line with the client's requirements, which included mask-wearing for staff and customers.
However, he said enforcement of the Covid-19 orders was the role of the police and any major incidents of non-compliance would result in the police being notified.
"It is important that people understand our guards are just doing their job."
A police spokesperson said during level 4, seven people were charged with 10 offences relating to breaching the Covid-19 restrictions in the Bay of Plenty District.
During alert level 3, two people were charged in the Bay of Plenty District with two offences, but the exact details were not readily available, the spokesperson said.
The first set of compliance data at level 2 will be available later this week.
"Police across the country are reminding people to stick with the rules. We are relying on people to do the right thing, for the safety of all of us.
Level 2 this time had some new restrictions, such as the wearing of face coverings, and mandatory record-keeping at venues.
Most people were complying with these restrictions, and the police thanked the majority who were doing their bit.
Police urged people to scan in using the QR code or sign in when they visited shops and other businesses and wear a face covering while out and about.
"Police aim to operate pragmatically and with a high-trust approach regarding the new rules. We will take an education-first approach but will use enforcement where necessary."
