New Zealand at Alert Level 4
UPDATE
August 18
1.16pm
The Prime Minister and the Director-General of Health are currently giving an update to the nation at the Beehive.
Here's what you need to know:
- Genome sequencing was undertaken last night and it has been confirmed that this is linked to the NSW outbreak.
- There are no genomic matches to those cases at the border to this case.
- There are a further two cases to report in the community.
- From 11:59pm, it will be compulsory to wear masks when accessing essential services.
- From 8am tomorrow, the Covid-19 vaccination programme will resume.
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UPDATE
August 18
9.10am
- Four new cases have been identified, all genomically linked to the original case
- The original case has been confirmed as having the Delta variant
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New Zealand will move to a Level 4 lockdown after a community case was detected in Auckland.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was joined by Ashley Bloomfield at a press conference, where she confirmed that Auckland and Coromandel would move to Alert Level 4 from 11.59pm for seven days, while the rest of the country will be under Level 4 conditions for three days.
It is unknown whether this case is that of the Delta variant. Bloomfield stated that genome sequencing will be completed by tomorrow morning.
There is currently 23 locations of interest, 10 in Auckland and 13 in Coromandel. Current locations of interest can be found here.
The case has no links to the border and interviews are currently being undertaken with the case to find any possible locations of interest and how they came to be in contact with Covid-19.
Here's what you need to know:
- A refresh on Level restrictions and what it means for you.
- Here are the locations of interest.
- If you have any flu-like symptoms, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or ring your GP.
- Find your closest Covid-19 testing location on the Healthpoint website
- Essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.
For more information, visit covid19.govt.nz.
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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41% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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57.2% No, I enjoy it
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1.8% Other - I'll share below
TRUMP AND TRENTHAM
Years ago when Neighbourly use to be a social media discussion outlet, I wrote a few items concerning Trump and got a stopper response from some people along the lines of what has Trump got to do with Trentham, Hutt Valley, Wellington or New Zealand.
Well let's forget about past years since 2015 and concentrate on this year.
Tariffs - people in Trentham and nearby Martinborough who are connected with the wine industry got especially annoyed about having to find new markets in the world and avoid the USA with Trump having unreasonably impose higher tariffs on NZ exports. Of course an about turn cannot be done instantly and some wine exporters here took a tumble.
War - the Trump war with Iran is affecting locals enormously already. Almost everything is expected to go up in price. Our military might yet be involved and just maybe activity at the Trentham Military Camp is on the increase.
Fuel - The NZ Govt is setting itself up to keep the price of petrol and diesel down to a level below unaffordable for the average bloke and blokess. But options remain open for carless days and working from home where possible working weeks. Despite the detractors like retailers and hospitality people in Wellington, working from home will save a huge amount of vehicle fuel. Our public transport services could not cope with severe carless days.
Online Purchases and Freight - big increases in cost of goods from overseas and the cost of air and sea freight charges.
Emigration - NZ and the Wellington region are prime targets for foreigners wanting to come and live here as we are the safest country of size in the world and the world of Trump and his USA are making the world much more at risk and uncertain. Look out for a new wave of housing demand here.
Lions' Mini Market
On Saturday (28th) at the King Lion Hall, 12 King Street Upper Hutt 8-11am. Outdoor and Indoor Plants; Crafts and Materials; Quality Clothing; Books, Toys & Jigsaws; Household Things and More. Get there early for good parking. Looking forward to seeing you there.
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