With another week of lockdown completed, the vast majority of New Zealanders have continued to abide by the rules. As a result, we've again seen the numbers of new cases dropping and numbers of recovered cases rising. I am also aware that many are struggling: with isolation; with the pressures of childcare on top of work; with concerns about vulnerable friends and family; and with financial difficulties. This crisis is having an impact on all of us, albeit in different ways. As every day goes by, and uncertainty around when Alert 4 will end, it is more important than ever to look after ourselves and others.
Something you may find useful is a recently released new mental health toolkit called Getting Through Together (www.allright.org.nz) This offers practical mental health advice and support during COVID-19. It includes tips for managing our day-today wellbeing, tools to help parents talk with their primary-school-aged children about mental health and wellbeing and some resources for anyone who feels they are not coping and would like support.
Please remember there is no shame in saying 'I'm not ok'.
As we witness the inevitable economic impact of our country effectively shutting down for several weeks, I can understand why many of you, especially business owners, are anxious to get things up and running again and get back to 'normal' as soon as possible. This is a very valid response and I’m sure we are all hopeful Cabinet will make the right decision on Monday April 20
But what will it look like when we do move down to Alert Level 3?
While the goal will remain to restrict contact with each other as much as possible, there will be some changes to what we will be able to do safely. These include:
· For the most part keep to your bubble, but you may extend your bubble safely and by a small amount, for example, to bring an elderly relative into it.
· Schools will re-open on a voluntary basis for children up to year 10. The advice is that if children can continue to learn at home during Level 3, they should. Those in years 11-13, and tertiary students, will continue to study via distance learning.
· Some businesses can re-open if they can ensure there will be one metre between workers, records kept of who is working together, limited interaction between groups of workers and high hygiene standards maintained. If employees are able to work from home, they should continue to do so under Level 3.
· Bars, restaurants and most non-essential retail will remain closed, but takeaways will re-open for deliveries.
· A move from ‘keep it local’ to keep it ‘regional’ but keep a record of where you’ve been. This means we can travel around the Auckland region if we need to, but we still should not be travelling to second homes or visiting family elsewhere.
· Restrictions on gatherings outside of your bubble remain, except for funerals, tangihanga, and wedding ceremonies, where up to 10 people are allowed to come together for a service.
· In terms of recreation, it will be possible to swim/surf but only at your local beach; to tramp or mountain bike on easy trails you know well; and to fish from a wharf or the shore. We must continue to keep a safe distance from others and not share equipment with anyone outside our bubble.
Countdown stores nationwide have extended their opening hours to 8am-8pm and removed limits on how many of a product we can purchase. Please continue to be mindful of others and resist the urge to stock-pile - the last few weeks have shown that this country is capable of keeping our shelves stocked. All supermarket deliveries are fully contactless, to protect both you and delivery staff.
Now for some positive news - Parnell Cricket Club has just been named as Auckland's Cricket Club of the year for the first time in 27 years! The Simmonds and Osborne Trophy is awarded based on on-field performances across the male, female, senior and junior branches of the club. A great achievement for players and everyone involved with the club. Congratulations Parnell Cricket Club!
To keep older kids occupied this weekend Silky Otter Cinemas (located at Orakei Bay Village) have come up with a novel idea. They are holding a Lockdown Competition. The task is to recreate your favourite movie trailer or scene from a film with those in your bubble. Upload your entry via the website or tag @silkyottercinemas on Instagram/Facebook and the best entry each week will win a $50 cinema voucher.
For younger children aged 5-11, there's an opportunity to make your mark on an exciting new piece of Auckland infrastructure - the City Rail Link! Kids are being asked to imagine where they'd like to travel by train and capture it in a drawing or painting. The only stipulation is they must be square so that they will fit onto the ceramic tiles which will decorate the inside of Aotea Station. Use your imaginations, get creative, email a scan or photo of your images to art@cityraillink.govt.nz to be part of Auckland's history! More info can be found in this YouTube video
And now for a whole family activity - the Eastern Bays Songbird Project's bird count is taking place between 18th of April and 1st of May. Anyone can take part - it only takes 5 minutes. Collecting data like this is an important way to monitor if our projects to bring back the native birds are working! The bird ID guide, instruction sheet and recording form can be downloaded from https://songbird.org.nz/web/get-involved
Finally, I'd like to pay tribute to our current Chief Executive Stephen Town who announced earlier this year that he will be stepping down from his role on June 25th. Stephen’s experience and expertise have led Auckland through a period of growth and change in his 6 years as council’s CE.
We are actively recruiting for this role with expressions of interest still being received until the end of the month. If you know any candidates suitable to lead Auckland Council into its next ten years of operation, please get them to contact Penelope Peebles at Caldwell NZ for more information
https://www.caldwellpartners.com/about-us/top-executive-recruiters-consultants/penelope-peebles/
Wishing you all a relaxing weekend - I hope you find things to keep you busy
Kind regards
Desley