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RICKY WILSON / Stuff
Friday night beers were flowing into Auckland, following the alert level 1 extension.
The news that there will be no changes to the Covid alert level, yet, came as music to the ears of thirsty Auckland residents, who wasted little time going into town for drinks on Fridays.
Ponsonby Rd was packed with people enjoying the sunshine and Level 1 extensions of freedoms, almost immediately after the Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins’s 2pm update.
Hipkins announced that the origin of the latest community case had been traced and that it was directly linked to a Defense Forces worker.
Popular spots, like Chapel Bar & Bistro and Freeman & Gray, were well packed at 6 p.m., and few people wore masks.
READ MORE:
* Covid-19: New community case ‘directly’ genomically linked to the Defense Force worker
* Covid-19: Auckland CBD workers asked to work from home on Friday due to a mysterious case
* Covid-19: Why is Auckland’s Greenhithe pub case low-risk and should we move alert levels?
Hipkins said Auckland’s CBD would reopen and people could return after just a day in the city center rebuilding more of a ghost town than a bustling shopping district.
THINGS
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins provides an update on Auckland’s new Covid-19 case.
Alert Level 1 has become the new normal for most, with no limits on meeting sizes.
Table service is not required in bars and restaurants and people can mingle and mingle in restaurants, cinemas, and on the dance floor.
RICKY WILSON / Stuff
Chapel Bar was full from 4pm on Friday.
The government’s Covid-19 website says Alert Level 1 is the “preparedness” stage, when the disease is “contained in New Zealand.”
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff sent a reminder to Auckland locals to be vigilant.
“At this stage, companies will be able to return to normalcy in the city and important events can continue this weekend,” he said.
“However, we shouldn’t be too relaxed. This case is a reminder of the need for continued surveillance against Covid-19.
RICKY WILSON / Stuff
After just one day of closure, Hipkins said Auckland CBD was free to reopen.
“The virus continues to spread rapidly abroad, which means there is a constant risk that it could cross our borders again. The proven way to reduce the chance of a new outbreak in the community is by following the advice of health agencies and the government. “
Auckland’s latest community case works in the city center and is a student at AUT University.
