A week ago Saturday (14th March) Karen and I spent the morning about 45 minutes from home promoting our new travel business. We spoke to a few people concerned with coronavirus.
That afternoon our government implemented a 14 day self isolation policy for anyone entering the country from midnight Sunday 15th, later amended to 1 am Monday 16th due to flight arrivals.
Within a few hours it was clear that self isolation was not going to work. At 5 am on the Monday two European tourists were filmed at Christchurch airport adamant they were going ahead with their camper van tour and would not otherwise self isolate. There were several other examples of the self isolation rules being breached by tourists highlighted in the media and on the Tuesday three tourists were arrested and placed in cells for either not self isolating or not having a plan to self isolate on a rival at our borders. All three were deported on the first flight out to their home countries.
On Thursday 19th the government shut the border to all except citizens and permanent residents returning to the country, this was done at the same time as Australia implemented the same policy.
On Saturday 21st the government implemented a four level threat system. Level 1- prepare, which we had already been in for the last week.
Level 2, reduction, was implemented that day. Restrictions on gatherings, increased physical distancing on public transport and other measures.
Almost immediately doctors and teachers were campaigning for an increase to level 4. Today the government moved onto Level 3, restriction. No public gatherings, all theatres, playgrounds etc closed, schools to close and all to move to work from home if possible. By midday Wednesday (our time) we move to Level 4. Only essential services police, fire, ambulance, supermarkets, pharmacy's and necessary support systems working. Every other business is to be shut down. State of Emergency under our health act, all public transport shut down except for essential personal travel. In effect a total shutdown of society. This was done after the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose from single digits late last week to triple digits this morning, although no deaths.
Details of the threat level system here: Coronavirus: New Zealand has a threat system, here'''s how it works and how it will affect you | Stuff.co.nz
Level 4 will continue for a period of at least four weeks. Various regions can move up and down the threat level system depending on local conditions, but for the first four weeks it is mandated self isolation at home.
None of us really know just what this means. So far there are 4 coronavirus cases in Taranaki, all in the north of the province (we are in the south). There are none in Whanganui where I tend to patrol. I have been on days off since 11 pm Friday and return to work 7 am Wednesday. Karen will be moving into her mother's former house with her sister in total quarantine for at least three weeks after I go back to work.
H1N1 caused 3,175 infections and 19 deaths in 2009 without these restriction being imposed. Hopefully we will not get to that level even though coronavirus is said to be much worse.
We will get through this but in the meantime.........
That afternoon our government implemented a 14 day self isolation policy for anyone entering the country from midnight Sunday 15th, later amended to 1 am Monday 16th due to flight arrivals.
Within a few hours it was clear that self isolation was not going to work. At 5 am on the Monday two European tourists were filmed at Christchurch airport adamant they were going ahead with their camper van tour and would not otherwise self isolate. There were several other examples of the self isolation rules being breached by tourists highlighted in the media and on the Tuesday three tourists were arrested and placed in cells for either not self isolating or not having a plan to self isolate on a rival at our borders. All three were deported on the first flight out to their home countries.
On Thursday 19th the government shut the border to all except citizens and permanent residents returning to the country, this was done at the same time as Australia implemented the same policy.
On Saturday 21st the government implemented a four level threat system. Level 1- prepare, which we had already been in for the last week.
Level 2, reduction, was implemented that day. Restrictions on gatherings, increased physical distancing on public transport and other measures.
Almost immediately doctors and teachers were campaigning for an increase to level 4. Today the government moved onto Level 3, restriction. No public gatherings, all theatres, playgrounds etc closed, schools to close and all to move to work from home if possible. By midday Wednesday (our time) we move to Level 4. Only essential services police, fire, ambulance, supermarkets, pharmacy's and necessary support systems working. Every other business is to be shut down. State of Emergency under our health act, all public transport shut down except for essential personal travel. In effect a total shutdown of society. This was done after the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose from single digits late last week to triple digits this morning, although no deaths.
Details of the threat level system here: Coronavirus: New Zealand has a threat system, here'''s how it works and how it will affect you | Stuff.co.nz
Level 4 will continue for a period of at least four weeks. Various regions can move up and down the threat level system depending on local conditions, but for the first four weeks it is mandated self isolation at home.
None of us really know just what this means. So far there are 4 coronavirus cases in Taranaki, all in the north of the province (we are in the south). There are none in Whanganui where I tend to patrol. I have been on days off since 11 pm Friday and return to work 7 am Wednesday. Karen will be moving into her mother's former house with her sister in total quarantine for at least three weeks after I go back to work.
H1N1 caused 3,175 infections and 19 deaths in 2009 without these restriction being imposed. Hopefully we will not get to that level even though coronavirus is said to be much worse.
We will get through this but in the meantime.........
