Local areas have moved to a COVID Level 4 lockdown. The lockdown came into effect at 11.59pm last night, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying it was for a three day period at this stage.
Within minutes of the Prime Minister’s announcement, local supermarkets and bottle stores were extremely busy with shoppers filling trolleys for the lockdown. Extra staff was brought in to Waipukurau New World to help.
Owner Gerard Kennedy said staff worked overtime and came in on their day off to assist, and he was also grateful to the team from EPIC Ministries who turned up to help.
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The move to COVID Alert Level 4 the Hawke’s Bay and MidCentral District Health Boards have implemented a no visitor policy at all of their facilities.
Both DHB’s will allow one person to support a terminal patient through end of life care; one parent or guardian can support a child in hospital; and one support person for a woman in labour.
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Local Councils’ will also have reduced services during the lockdown period.
The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council says that
- Transfer stations and drop off centres will be closed for the remainder of the week, to anyone other than essential services.
- The Waipawa library, playgrounds and Council buildings will be closed.
- On-site building inspections will not take place.
The Council says three waters service will not be impacted, and the Waipawa rubbish and recycling collection will go ahead as planned today.
In Tararua :
· All Council Service Centres, libraries, transfer stations, landfills and recycling centres are closed.
· The Woodville i-SITE is closed, as are all community pools, halls, sports facilities and playgrounds.
· One public toilet will remain open per town, and cleaning will be carried out.