New Zealand to go on lockdown in 48 hours

[dontevenblink]

Our PM set out 4 levels of alert in NZ for covid on Saturday. We were level 2 then, which was possible community transmission, so only essential domestic travel, social distancing, but schools still open. This afternoon it was announced we are going to level 3 straightaway and level 4 Wednesday night. This is a total lockdown for at least 4 weeks.

I was booked in for 3 weeks supply teaching and was in my dept eating lunch with the other teachers when the announcement was made. We listened in shock as they said schools would be closing and we would be going into lock down. The schools had no warning. We thought we would have Tuesday to get the kids ready but then they announced they were shutting immediately for everyone but essential workers, and then completely on Wednesday night. I don't know what will happen then. It was total chaos the last period of the day while we tried to hand over what work we had before the kids got on the bus. Many of them are very rural, some have no access to Wi-Fi, and many are vulnerable. I feel so sad for them.

Supermarkets and pharmacies will still be open and some key services, but anything non essential will close. We are allowed to go for a walk or run, but we are meant to stay locally and stay away from others. PM has said there will be more police on street and army will be deployed if people don't follow the rules and they feel there is a need.

After the announcement everyone made a bee line for the supermarket, even though they will stay open...

We have 106 confirmed cases, and no deaths at the moment. Only 2 of the cases are through community transmission, the rest are from people who have just come back from overseas. We are acting now apparently to prevent what has been happening in other countries. Do you think this is what should have happened in the UK? I am really worried about my family in the UK, most of who are in London. There are a lot of UK tourists who are stuck here too.

I think it is the right decision, but I just feel a bit sad and deflated, and it all just feels a bit surreal...

Definitely feels surreal x and family feels very very far away right now.

Just to clarify if people are in New Zealand on holiday they will not be able to leave? I have family members there at the moment from the UK

Hi. My parents are stuck here as their flights have been cancelled. It all feels a bit surreal at the mo. I’m a teacher as well. Going into school tomorrow to set up online learning and print work for home. Supermarkets were busy and shelves emptyish but didn’t feel too panicky. I’m in the Wellington region.

I do think we’re in one of the safest places in the world at the moment. I think the government is taking the right action. Certainly rather be here than in the UK.

I read that the UAE, a transit hub, are grounding their flights in 48 hours. So anyone using their airlines would be potentially stuck

Yep CMM family feel like a very long way away. Trying to talk as much as we can, but still worrying.

lavender yes it does feel safer, you're right, I think the PM has been doing a great job. I thought she sounded a bit upset this afternoon. We were trying to sort out some online learning last period, easier for some classes than others! I'm in Central Hawkes Bay and some of the kids don't have access to very good, or any internet, at least not reliably.

My family WhatsApp has been buzzing all day. The biggest topics of conversation?

1. How many books did you manage to get out from the library before it closed. SIL managed an impressive 70 books using all the family's library cards.
2. If level 4 is lockdown, what level is zombies?

purpleknickers, if you can find a flight out you can leave, you are only allowed into airports with a valid ticket or passport, no visitors. However, most things seem to be being cancelled, or countries announcing they are not allowing transits. I think your family member would need to organise a flight home pretty quickly. There are threads on the UK consulate in New Zealand full of people who can't get a flight back and are asking for help to get back home.

My uncle and aunt are touring NZ at the moment and have been a bit blase about it all, but I finally persuaded them they should change their flights, and they have one for sat with Cathay, although who knows what will happen between then and now.

We've been setting up a desk in our bedroom so DH can work from home out of the way of our 4 primary school aged dc!

We haven't heard anything from my parents who were originally meant to be leaving NZ yesterday. When did flights start being cancelled?

To be honest I feel they are safer in NZ with all our family (we are expats) than coming back to the UK but wish we knew where they were!

slug

Hi op
Can see why the suddenness has been shocking and upsetting. The best thing to do is have a quick lockdown to prevent spread as much as possible.
I'm in the uk, we've been very slow to act and in a few more days it's going to be a disaster.
Hopefully in NZ you'll get the kids back to school much quicker than seems likely here.

sushi just the last few days really. I think Emirates announced they were stopping at the weekend, Australia said they were stopping transits, although they opened the borders for transits to UK for 72 hours from sat which closes tomorrow. Singapore announced today it is closing transit tonight or tomorrow I think. A lot of people seem to be looking up their flights and finding they are cancelled. Last few ones seem to be about though so they may be ok.

it's definitely the right decision. I'm so glad at least somewhere can avoid being like us. Keep up the good work NZ

Thanks dont fingers crossed they'll get in touch soon.

Thank God I am here, thank God for a PM and government who hold such courage.

It was very sudden which made it a little frightening. I suddenly feel very far away and anxious.

I'm waiting for my visa to be approved so I am currently still on a visitor visa and we are in temporary accommodation. My partner won't be working until the level is lifted but will be entitled to a wage subsidiary of less than half of his normal weekly wage. It's going to be a tough few weeks but I have a lot of faith in the country and Jacinda.

Do you have a fb community group? I am in a small town in Otago and there have been many offers from locals offering laptops to students that don't have one. It might be worth popping a post out!

When you say lockdown, do you mean confined to your home unless it's for essential food or frontline work?

As in Italy?

I’m glad at least one leader has taken lessons from other countries.

My over 70 parents live in NZ so I am delighted to hear this. I hope the government prevents the supermarkets going the way they are here.

My sister and her husband live 10 minutes away so hopefully they will have someone to bring them food if necessary.

@goldpartyhat yes only supermarkets, doctors, pharmacies, vets and petrol stations open really plus emergency plumbers and electricians etc, the courts. No domestic travel unless you are a tourist or visitor trying to leave or part of the essential services. We can leave the house for walks but must maintain social distancing and they will revoke that if we dont play by the rules, we have been advised to expect a heightened police prescence.

I'm relieved Jacinda has done this to avoid us following the same path as other countries. I don't think encouraging social distancing and working from home seem to work, not enough people and companies listen to recommendations. hopefully 4 weeks of a firm lockdown makes a difference and manages to save lives.

@CMMum88 We need to be doing the same now then. This is awful

Thank you dontevenblink

That's great. Firm, decisive action. It's far too late for us in the UK for that now. Good luck.