OPINION:
Here we are, back in alert level 2. It could be worse: we could be in level 3, like Auckland is. It is inevitable there is going to be some finger-pointing.
People who should have been in isolation broke the rules. One went to the gym, another worked a shift at KFC … with food … and lots of customers. But what can you do? You can't legislate against stupidity. The isolation was not to annoy them or remove their rights, it was to protect the vulnerable.
Now Auckland, especially, and the rest of the country, some of which is so far away from the cluster so as to be completely safe, are experiencing alert level conditions that were avoidable. Sports competitions, concerts, community events – many have been cancelled.
A darts tournament, for example. The 50th North Island Tournament due to be played at the Porirua Club from March 2-6 has been called off. People have put aside savings, taken leave from their jobs, made plans and booked accommodation, for it to be cancelled, just as it was last year, for the same reason.