Covid 19 Coronavirus: The New Level 2 Rules You Should Know Before Midnight Tomorrow

As Aucklandites prepare to ditch the shackles of the Covid-19 alert level 3 lockdown at midnight tomorrow, there are some modifications to what level 2 will mean this time that people need to be aware of.

The size of the allowed meetings will not increase to 100, but only to 10 for Auckland residents at this modified Tier 2.

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The only exception is Auckland funerals and tangihanga, which can hold up to 50 people.

Masks and face coverings will also be mandatory on public transportation and airplanes and will be encouraged for anyone in public.

“We know that masks protect you and the people around you,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

“They limit the possibility of Covid-19 spreading in places where it is often more difficult to distance and track people.”

Otherwise, level 2 is the one you will remember from mid-April. But what does that imply again?

Leaving home

Yes, you can leave the house at your own discretion, regardless of whether it is to eat or exercise. So those trips to the beach will be officially fine for lounging on the sand.

But the 2m social distancing rule applies on the street and in stores like the supermarket.

Obviously, do not go out in public if you are sick and do not get on public transport.

Take extra precautions when traveling outdoors if you are in a risk group for Covid.

Be sure to keep records of any travel services you use, especially public transportation because HOP cards do not record this information.

Police checkpoints at the Auckland Highway borders will be removed and regional travel in and out of the Super City boundaries will resume.

You can also bike and drive wherever you want.

All workplaces, including those with face-to-face interaction, can be opened, but we recommend that you wear a face shield if you can.

Keep washing your hands and keep a record of where you’ve been and who you’ve met.

School

All early childhood centers, schools, polytechnics and universities will be open.

Party time?

Well, if it’s a party of 10 or fewer, then yes, but that’s the limit regardless of whether it’s a wedding, religious service, community sporting event, or private function. But funerals can have 50 people.

But outside of Auckland the meeting limit is 100, as it has been for all Level 2 restrictions in the last two and a half weeks.

So there is a difference between Auckland Tier 2 as of tomorrow and the rest of New Zealand.

If you are the host, you should keep track of who is attending in order to track contacts, unless everyone at the event knows each other. Whenever possible, there should be physical distancing and surfaces should be kept clean.

Cafes, bars, and other places where people might gather should ensure that groups do not mix with each other, such as in queues to go to the bathroom.

Go to the gym or pub

Yes, these freedoms will be available to Auckland residents on level 2 and many public places such as gyms, swimming pools, museums, libraries, cinemas, bars, restaurants and community centers will open on Monday.

Cafes, bars and other spaces can have up to 100 people in their facilities. This includes Auckland, but they have to be separated into separate groups of 10 that are seated, do not mix with other groups, and ideally are only served by one person.

You can also get a haircut.

All of these companies and places need to display Covid tracking QR codes and make sure people are 1 meter apart. We also recommend that you wear a mask in these places.

Exercising outdoors

Yes, you can do all of your regular physical or recreational activities, as long as you do them safely.

That includes walking, biking, swimming, hunting, and boating. You can also go fishing with white bait.

Get a Covid test

If you have cold or flu symptoms, you should definitely get tested. Call Healthline (0800 358 5453), your doctor or iwi healthcare provider and they will explain.

Many of the same precautions still apply. There are still strict border controls, testing and self-isolation for anyone who is unwell.