New Zealand is going into lock-down.
Our PM, Jacinda Ardern, has announced we will be in
lock-down as of midnight Wednesday. Out
of the four levels of response assigned to this pandemic, we have now moved from
level two into level three and will move into level four in 48 hours’ time.
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| Walking around the garden will be the order of the day from now on |
All except essential businesses will now close. Schools will close from tomorrow. All gatherings are banned and people are
expected to remain at home, except for those regarded as being in essential
services (health, supermarket, police, journalists etc.).
The government has announced extra financial help for those
affected by these restrictions, but the economic repercussions will be
immense. Cabinet met this morning and
have taken the decision that it is most important to protect our citizens by
going into total lock-down for an initial period of four weeks.
We are told the country has a "small window of opportunity to break the chain of community transmission" to help us get ahead of the virus so our health care system is not overwhelmed. Through isolation the hope is to slow transmission right down, so that those who need specialist hospital care can receive it.
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| Jacinda announcing what lies ahead for New Zealand in the next few weeks |
Now is the time to each do our part and follow what our government is asking of us. And remember, a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
Margaret.
UPDATE: A national Civil Defence emergency has also been declared to allow services to do what is needed during this time.
UPDATE: A national Civil Defence emergency has also been declared to allow services to do what is needed during this time.
It seems austere, but it really is for the best. The virus is like cancer in that you don't understand the impact it will have until it is at your door and then it is too late to prepare. It will be hard. It will be awful. It will be the kind of thing that children will someday tell their grandchildren about. But in the end, if you all protect each other by staying home, it will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Lisa. It is not going to be easy, and much harder for some than for others.
DeleteWe told grand-daughter she is living history as it happens - these times will be spoken about for a long time.
Good, she's moving quickly. It's hard, but the only way to make people stay home and out of contact with others.
ReplyDeleteKeep calm
We are well prepared, have been for some time now. My biggest concern is other family members who I know will have financial difficulty during this time. We also have several close family members who are well into their 70s and 80s (and a couple in their 90s) and I am concerned for them as well.
DeleteThese are very difficult times indeed. Stay well.
ReplyDeleteThe UK is heading into lockdown as well. At the moment everything is voluntary but people are ignoring the warnings.
ReplyDeleteI hope we don´t. I cough since over a week and "imagine" it´s a common flu.
ReplyDeleteI do not go near to people.
Yet, I have to get going.
I hope your cough is a simple flu bug, Iris, and that you soon recover from it. Take care, xx
DeleteWe are not in lock down yet, but most people are staying home to protect themselves. Whilst I sit and read my blogs, I am noticing less people about in our street, normally it's busy as it's the route to our local village shops. It was sad to see on TV how people went to local beaches, walking but far to close to each other.
ReplyDeleteWhen people will not voluntarily follow instructions, that is when the government brings in harsher restrictions. Stay safe, xx
DeleteHello, we are much the same here, many places are closed. Stores are open, everyone still looking for their TP. I am happy right now, to stay home reading my books and blogging. Take care and be well. Wishing you a happy new week!
ReplyDeleteLast night I think all the TP buyers suddenly decided they actually needed FOOD - lots of panic buyers at our supermarkets, although no need to do so as they will not be shutting down. Wishing you a good week also, xx
DeleteI'm so thankful that the weather is reasonably pleasant and we can be outside. We walked in the park this morning as we always do and were careful to stay far from other people. There's lots I can keep busy with so that's no problem. I worry about my kids and grands though. The financial effects of all this. Still, might as well enjoy our day-by-day lives as much as possible. Keep well.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the lockdown, Margaret. It will be weeks before we see any positive effect here in Canada.
ReplyDeleteOur restaurants have been closed down to dine in for a while...our governor has now put tighter restrictions. All businesses closed except those necessary. I can deal with the staying home, it is the not knowing that gets to me. Wondering if I will be able to get what we need. I called in Roger's prescription for his insulin syringes and I cannot help but wonder will they have them.
ReplyDeleteI always say Kindness never hurts!
I see you got a nasty anonymous comment...I had a LONG one on my photo blog this morning. It was as nasty as yours.
I hope you get Roger's meds okay. I feel for what you are going through at the moment. Take care, Mxx
DeleteMaybe I should have said the Anonymous comment was hateful...yours is only a 3 little short sentences, mine was 3 paragraphs full of stuff such as yours says.
ReplyDeleteI have had a few of these comments Rose. The longest was VERY long and very full of spite and hatred. I have reluctantly enabled comment moderation to combat them.
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