The Government has announced a six-month mortgage holiday for those whose incomes have been affected by Covid-19.
The first hours of isolation have started. Cartoons might already be playing on the television while parents struggle to figure out what the "new normal" looks like.
But at Kelly O'Hara's home, she is making the most of the opportunity and being thankful for the time she gets to spendwith her three boys.
"There must be some good that comes from this, I refuse to think otherwise."
The decision was made last Thursday for O'Hara to take her three children out of school due to the risk exposure to Covid-19 could have on her. She has rheumatoid arthritis and is immune-compromised.
As an early childcare relief teacher, she has been thinking of ways to keep as much structure to her children's lives as possible.
"Having some sort of routine is important. For us, that is already the case because I have unwellness in myself, so they get up in the morning and make their own breakfast.
"But now it's a great opportunity to start that sort of thing, in a low-key way. It might be that you ask them to take the rubbish out."
So far the boys have been working on chores and schoolwork in the morning and ending with "PE" in the evenings in the form of a game of backyard cricket with their dad - the wheelie bin their wicket.
"And just like in a team different people are going to have strengths and weaknesses. Think about shifting the chores around to suit what different strengths they have."
Kelly O'Hara hopes her family will be better at communicating by the end of the isolation period. Photo / Supplied
For O'Hara she will keep sane by continuing to work on her photography and wearing a new set of earrings every day from her archives dating back to age 10.
"But I am also waving crazily from my balcony. I'm going to be doing that twice a day and hopefully, by the end of all this, someone would have waved back."
The financial implications are largely unknown for the family, but O'Hara said it was important to think outside herself in these times.
"There are still heart attacks, and people battling cancer and I totally hear that we need to flatten the curve, not just because of coronavirus but because there are other people that need these resources as well."
Melissa Wills is a grandparent raising her grandchildren - one 18 months, and another aged 4 - in a busy household.
Melissa Wills' grandchildren are taking it back to basics and cancelling out as much technology as possible. Photo / Supplied
But as a grandparent, she knows how quickly time flies when raising children so she hopes the time spent in isolation will benefit many families in the Bay.
"My kids grew up before my eyes so as a grandparent you feel like you get a second chance.
"I know the virus isn't a good thing, but I can see the positive of families being able to slow down a little bit."
Wills said she was busy creating a scavenger hunt while they go on their bike rides to make life interesting - including spotting ducks, or a big rock.
"I'm trying to incorporate a lot of what I did as a kid, we are lucky to get outside while the weather is nice.
"I got my son to build a mud kitchen for the kids to play in - we can make some slime and playdoh. It will be a bit of fun."
Five boredom busters:
1. Practise a skill Learn a new song on the guitar, nail a new recipe, finish knitting that scarf.
2. Get in the garden Bring your kids into the garden, take out the weeds, clean out the dead leaves or make them into a creative mud pie mess.
3. Scavenger hunt Whether it be around the house, or during your time outside, start hunting.
4. Balcony zumba class Whether it is zumba, a wave, or leaving feijoas in your letterbox for the neighbours - make sure you are connecting with them.
5. Create a board game championship Keep the tally and after four weeks see who really is the best at Monopoly. Make sure to celebrate it with a podium and DIY trophies too.
