Covid 19 coronavirus: the work weekend warns a rehearsal for the summer

New Zealanders will be in for a summer rehearsal this long weekend, as many flock to beaches and vacation getaways amid an intense campaign by health authorities to encourage use of the Covid-19 tracking app.

The Labor Day weekend, a precursor to summer weather, comes amid heightened anxiety over a resurgence of Covid-19 in the community, an outbreak referred to as the “marine engineering group.”

Yesterday, Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said that for the next 72 hours there would be an intensive effort to encourage New Zealanders to use the app.

“The more we scan, the safer we are,” said Bloomfield.

Bloomfield’s comments reflected the lax attitude of some after it emerged that many patrons at The Malt pub in Auckland visited by a person who later tested positive for Covid-19 did not sign up. They followed health experts’ warnings about kiwi complacency when the country moved to alert level 1.

Malt Staff Negative Test

Greenhithe’s The Malt closed for two weeks after health authorities notified him of the visit.

The pub’s owner, Kevin McVicar, said in a Facebook post that all staff who considered themselves close contacts had tested negative for Covid-19. The group will also undergo a second test, he said.

Covid Tracer app crash

Bloomfield’s message came after some 200 users of the app contacted the Health Ministry after an Android update left some users unable to scan NZ Covid Tracer’s QR codes.

Shayne Blake told the Herald that his app stopped working when an update was released on October 13. He immediately contacted the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and was told it was due to an update.

“I would love to do what Dr. Bloomfield wants us to do and use the application … I wonder how many other phone models were affected and how many people, as a consequence, cannot use the application.”

A spokesperson for the Health Ministry said that OnePlus, Redmi, Oppo and Xiaomi phones were affected, but users could still add manual entries in the diary.

A fix for all Android users is expected to be released “shortly” after testing is underway.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Chris Hipkins said the request to register at the places visited will not be enforced because it consumes too many resources, although that could change.

Bloomfield repeated his stern warning Thursday that this long weekend was a good “rehearsal” for the summer break, where New Zealanders could develop good habits to keep themselves and others safe.

“We cannot emphasize enough that if application usage is low, our contact trackers might not have an advantage in breaking any chain of transmission, which means that the virus will have more time to spread.

“The faster we respond, the faster we’ll stop it. Time is our friend here.”

If not using the app, people should use the written sign-in sheets that companies should have available and the Covid Tracer brochure.

New Zealanders’ beloved summer vacation could be at risk if Kiwis weren’t diligent about Covid-19 precautions this three-day weekend, Bloomfield said.

We should act like we’re on a “more level 1,” Bloomfield said. He was “strongly urging” masks on public transportation and flights, and recommended maintaining social distancing.

He said that covering your face and stricter use of the Covid Tracer app could help prevent a change in alert levels.

The message for anyone feeling bad or showing symptoms was to avoid a trip to the beach, stay away from the malls, and miss out on brunch at their local café.

The Health Ministry said the tests were available free of charge to anyone in need across the country and there are now seven test stations installed in Auckland.

Hipkins said it was imperative that people get tested quickly.

The marine engineer cluster outbreak began after a 27-year-old New Zealand engineer contracted the virus while working on the ship Sofrana Surville last week and tested positive on Saturday.

Since then, two fellow dock workers and a domestic contact have also tested positive, prompting the precautionary request this weekend. The total number of active cases in New Zealand is 66.

Warmer temperatures for the weekend draw city dwellers to the coast.

Police and the Waka Kotahi NZ Transportation Agency also issued their own warnings this week, asking New Zealanders to plan ahead, slow down and buckle up for a safe long Labor Day weekend.

Waka Kotahi General Manager for Safety, Health and Environment Greg Lazzaro said many roads across the country are likely to be heavily trafficked over the long weekend and the agency anticipates high volumes of traffic.

“Congestion and some delays are unavoidable at peak times, but if everyone leaves enough time for their trip, drives according to conditions, and plans before leaving home, the worst of frustrations can be alleviated and everyone can focus on arriving healthy. and saved to your destiny, “Lazzaro said.

New Zealand Police Acting Superintendent Gini Welch said buckling up and driving at a safe speed were two “must-haves” for safe travel on vacation.

“This is our first long weekend since June, and with travel restricted to our own backyard there will be more traffic on our roads. More traffic means more risk, simply because of the volume.

So it’s even more important to remember safety basics like wearing a seatbelt and driving according to conditions.

“You are on vacation; there is no need to rush.”

Police want motorists to:

• Slow down and buckle up;

• Drive to conditions;

• Maintain a safe following distance;

• Be patient;

• Take regular breaks to stay alert and allow plenty of time.