Covirus 19 coronavirus: Police will patrol ‘mock’ viaduct bar party before alert level 2

Auckland’s top police chief is working with a Viaduct bar owner who wants to host a “mannequin” party with 100 of his “best friends” when the country goes to Alert Level 2.

Leo Molloy’s colorful guest list includes Auckland MP Nikki Kaye, former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry and Brian and Hannah Tamaki of Destiny Church, deputy director of National Paula Bennett, Maori party co-leader John Tamihere, members of the True Bliss gang and former MP Hone Harawira.

As kiwis across the country wait for bars and restaurants to open, Molloy’s gathering at Headquarters has provided insight into what might become the new level 2 new normal in hospitality. Guests will receive a temperature control at the door and must provide their names, addresses and telephone numbers. A gorilla will patrol the dance floor making sure partygoers stay 1 meter away, kissing will be prohibited, and the police will conduct spot checks to make sure people follow the rules.

Molloy is in contact with Auckland Central Area Inspector Commander Gary Davey and the liquor licensing agency to ensure the private party can continue on May 15, also the restaurant’s third birthday date.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she will discuss with the cabinet on May 11 whether the country will go from alert level 3 to 2. The government’s Covid-19 website says public places can open, but meetings should be less than 100 indoors and people should be kept 1 meter away. . But Finance Minister Grant Robertson said yesterday that the Cabinet was still evaluating what can and cannot happen at Alert Level 2.

The guidance was being revised and “we will have much more to say about it next week.”

Molloy has already sent out the invitations and claims to have received 100 responses.

Davey told the Weekend Herald that the alcohol and harm prevention police team was “ready for the first night” when restaurants, bars and clubs will reopen.

“The headquarters was the first restaurant responsible enough to approach the police and say, ‘What are your expectations and how can we make this work so people don’t rape?’ I applaud that and will work with Leo to make sure that you can meet and have the best opportunity to meet so that the party can go on and not have any problems. “

One of Davey’s concerns is the challenge of controlling physical distance.

“They will need to identify and record the names of the people entering. The other problem is keeping a distance of 1 meter from everyone, which will be more difficult, especially if people have been drinking. I am concerned that someone on the dance floor will keep your meter away. “

Davey said additional staff will be assigned to make sure business owners follow the rules, and if they don’t, the police will “shut it down.”

If the party goes well, Molloy said the bar would officially open on Tuesday, May 19.

“I wanted to do a fictional run before we can officially open, during Level 2. I’ve been frank with the police because I don’t want hundreds of complaints that we are having a massive party and that the police are breaking into strong- Arming people.

“It’s better to invite people I know. With a small number, we can contain problems if they occur. We don’t want a crowd of bogans to appear with their Lion Reds, to riot and shut the place down.”

Molloy hired a DJ for the “soft pitch” and said he and his gorillas will patrol the dance floor to make sure guests don’t get too “comfortable” and abide by the spacing rule. It has also banned public displays of affection.

“The hobby is for young people with throbbing hormones who are determined to share their DNA. I would like to think that the average age on the guest list is over 45 and most of us can moderate our behavior and wait until we get home. “

Robertson said that below level 3, there was an increase in the parties’ reports. For anyone planning one this weekend, I had two messages: cancel your plans now and be aware that the police will have a “dark view” of this activity.

“Don’t be an idiot, stick to your bubble and everyone will be better.”

Ardern warned this week that if New Zealand advances too quickly through level 3, there will be a greater risk of a second wave.

“This would be horrible for our economy.”

This week, people flocked to fast food restaurants when we left level 4, after more than a month of home cooking.

Ardern warned those who congregate outside takeaway food stores to keep their distance.

Molloy said the shutdown had had a severe impact on the hotel industry. He felt fortunate to have managed to keep all his 74 employees, thanks to the government subsidy.

Marisa Bidois, executive director of the Restaurant Association, said her research indicated that 20 percent of companies would likely close in the next 12 months, affecting about 10,000 jobs.

Level 2 industry guidelines were still being finalized and the association was working with Worksafe and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.

“The cabinet will meet at level 2 next week and we will be involved in drafting the industry guidelines that the government will adopt and support.”

Bidois has also collaborated with associations in Australia, the UK, Ireland and Singapore to obtain advice on how to prevent group development.

Auckland Central Representative Nikki Kaye said she hopes to attend Molloy’s party, but it will depend on her work commitments.

“I have worked 18 hours a day trying to help all those companies in my constituency. There are around 10,000 companies, many of them are bars and restaurants and have been the most affected.”

Molloy is known for taking the law into his own hands during the Covid-19 pandemic. On March 23, a pilot with an accent who claimed he lived in New Zealand was barred from headquarters for refusing to show his passport.

Molloy also rejected clients for 70 years because they were at increased risk of contracting coronavirus, but is making an exception for Sir Graham Henry, 73.

“He is our headquarters sponsor and is here to raise the bar. He is a well-preserved legend, so we will accommodate those over 70 if they are in good working order and do not vote for New Zealand first.”

But if you’re a “List A” celebrity, don’t expect an invitation.

“I don’t want to see behind the botox sheet, Polyfilla, and hair dye after seven weeks of neglect. While the rest of us have morphed into bits, pieces, or drunks, I choose the A-listers to be gone locked up as Barbie and now come out as Cruella de Vil. “

• Covid19.govt.nz – The official government Covid-19 advisory website