Lockdown: Changes to public transport, health services and Covid-testing in Otago
Otago, along with the rest of New Zealand, has entered level 4 lockdown which means closing of public facilities, changes to health services, and limiting of public transport.
Healthcare facilities across the Southern DHB will remain open during lockdown, but the majority of scheduled surgeries and outpatient appointments have been postponed for the next three days.
The Covid-19 vaccination programme has been suspended for the next 48 hours, however those with potential symptoms were urged to contact their GP or call 0800 VIRUS-19 (0800 847 8719).
There was capacity for testing and opening of more testing sites if required.
However, those with symptoms were urged not to attend the Emergency Department.
Aurora Energy advised that it would continue to respond to emergency faults and carry out essential safety work on the network during level 4.
There will however be no planned power outages, unless required for essential safety work. Pre-planned work on the network will be deferred until the alert level changes.
The Dunedin City Council’s key services remained unaffected, and the priority was delivering critical services such as water and wastewater, and rubbish collection.
At level 4, facilities such as libraries and museums, swimming pools, and sports and recreational facilities, will be closed.
According to the council, buses managed by Orbus were for essential travel only. In Dunedin, that was for a reduced service and were not free.
Entry into busses will be through the rear doors only, and passengers have to supply their own masks.
Passengers were urged to be kind to drivers and each other.
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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