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“It is what it is” was the overwhelming sentiment on the streets today as Auckland residents took in news from at least another 12 days at alert level 2.5.
The usually bustling Queen Street in Auckland during the level 3 lockdown.
Photo: RNZ / Amy Williams
The restrictions mean no more than 10 people in meetings, while the rest of the country is limited to a limit of 100 under a continuous alert level 2.
Grant Nicholls, who was visiting Auckland from Wellington, said he was happy with the decision for both parts of the country, given the constant trickle of new cases daily.
“We just don’t know where it is going and what is happening. I think we have dodged some bullets with people who have traveled outside and who have been potentially affected by Covid, who have not spread it. So we have been lucky,” he said.
Bryn Wood said that if that was what had to happen to control the virus “then that is what is going to happen.”
Anna Kalatcheva said she was disappointed not to be able to attend the concerts, but thought the 12-day extension was a “sensible decision.”
“It seems like it will be long enough for them to trample it,” he said.
However, he thought that continued restrictions for the rest of the country were less sensible.
“I think it would make more sense for the rest of the country to stay at alert level 1 while Auckland is restricted.”
Hospitality New Zealand described the extension to alert levels as “incredibly challenging.”
He was pushing for the maximum limit of 10 people on social gatherings in Auckland to be lifted, so operators could get back to the ‘new normal’.
CEO Julie White said the rules that require businesses to adhere to three S’s – sitting service, social distancing and single servers – mean that many continue to lose money.
Photo: RNZ
Among them was Occidental Belgian Beer Cafe manager Patrick O’Leary, who expected a drop in alert levels by Monday “or some sort of balance in between” to keep his business running.
“It doesn’t have the atmosphere of a pub. We have some music on the weekend, but it won’t be the event we would have had,” he said.
He said he had to keep more staff on the roster to serve individual tables, while fewer customers were coming in from local offices as people stick to work-from-home arrangements.
“Basically we are spending more money on fewer customers,” he said.
But around the corner on the High Street, Chuffed Coffee manager Mayank Chadda was more willing to smile and bear the current burden.
“We are definitely losing a lot of business. But even if [went to] Level 1 today I don’t think a lot of people are comfortable dating. Many of my clients are corporate people and can work from home.
“So they only come out once or twice a week … so I’m losing those customers anyway … We could control it a little more and then open it once we are safe, everything is under control now.”
“Let’s get this over with … as long as it’s over after 12 days. No more surprises.”
