Covid 19 coronavirus: Kiwis are urged not to rush to supermarkets

People have started heading to supermarkets despite requests from the Prime Minister for Kiwis not to rush to stores during her announcement of alert level changes across the country.

Traffic also piled up on some stretches of motorway ahead of Auckland’s switch to Covid-19 alert level 3 from 11:59 tonight for three days.

The rest of New Zealand will be at level 2, PM Jacinda Ardern announced. Those alert levels will be reviewed within 24 hours.

Supermarkets and gas stations will remain open, so “there was no need to rush to find essential items,” the prime minister said.

Despite the calls, queues formed at some Auckland supermarkets last night.

In Freeman’s Bay, Jacqueline Campbell had a cart full of groceries at New World one day when she wouldn’t normally make any purchases.

Campbell said that she and her husband had anticipated that there would be a jump in alert levels.

“My husband came in and said, ‘We should probably get some food.’

She said that when the family heard that the Prime Minister would address the country, closure seemed the likely outcome.

Campbell, originally from the United States, said she did not want the pandemic to grow out of control as it had in her homeland.

“I’m glad they’re doing everything they can to get it under control.”

At level 3, travel in and out of the city is also severely restricted, a possible explanation for the heavier-than-normal traffic heading south on the Auckland South Expressway tonight.

A Waka Kotahi NZTA camera on the South Freeway in Greenlane at the time showed heavy southbound traffic but empty northbound lanes.

The transportation agency at 9:30 pm said that trips from Te Atatu to Manukau, which in free-flow conditions would take 22 minutes, instead, would take 37 minutes.

The move to level 3 comes after three new cases of Covid-19 were reported today in the community: a mother, father and daughter from Papatoetoe.

Ardern said the change in alert levels was “the right thing to do.”

Ardern said the government is asking Auckland residents to “stay at home” and that people should work from home whenever possible.

That means that children are asked not to go to school.

Public places, such as swimming pools and playgrounds, will be closed.

“You will recall that supermarkets, pharmacies, commodity retailers, and service stations will be open at all times, so there is no need for you to rush after this announcement to get the essentials. All those vendors .. They will all be open and will stay open, “Ardern said.

“If you know someone in Auckland, please reach out and check on them. And if you are in Auckland, check on your neighbors, make sure they are looked after and supported,” he said.

“I ask New Zealanders to remain strong and kind.”

She said we all have this “not again” feeling.

He reassured the nation: “We will be fine.”

Less than an hour after the closure was announced, queues were forming at the Countdown Ponsonby supermarket.

One customer commented, “There must be another rush for toilet paper.”

Countdown at Howick was particularly busy for a Sunday night following news of the switch to Level 3 lockdown.

One buyer said the store was not crowded, but some items were popular. The flour and chocolate had to be replaced.

One customer said they decided to shop tonight in case there was a shortage of items they would normally buy on Mondays.

The workers seemed busy, ready to restock items that were running low.

It seemed like more people were wearing masks than usual.

On Ponsonby Rd, Revelry Bar manager Darren Taylor understood that level 3 meant the bar would have to close.

“So for us it’s not a good thing. We need to be at Level 2.”

Taylor was with a friend about to have dinner when the closure announcement was made.

The hotel industry has been hit hard in previous closures.

Taylor expected the alert level to drop by the weekend.

Meanwhile, he said friends in the industry were philosophically describing the latest shutdown as a “three-day vacation.”

LEVEL 3: Auckland
– Stay home and work remotely if possible
– Schools and nurseries open only to children of essential workers
– Meetings restricted to 10 people
– Travel restrictions with borders around Auckland.
– Closed public places such as swimming pools and playgrounds

LEVEL 2: Rest of New Zealand
– People can still go to work.
– Schools and kindergarten remain open
– Meetings restricted to 100 people
– Auckland travel restricted