Covid Watch

The union representing primary school teachers is stopping short of asking for compulsory vaccinations, but is encouraging staff to get them. 
The Government says Auckland schools will probably reopen after the holidays, on October 18, but there are few details so far. 
NZEI President Liam Rutherford, told Mike Yardley principals have told him there are schools where not all staff have had the jab. 
He says the organisation is not calling for vaccine mandates. 
"But at the same time, we are encouraging absolutely everybody to go out and get vaccinated. It is the greatest tool we have to keep ourselves safe." 
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With these more vague rules coming in, what does that mean for the police?  
Just how hard is it going to be to make sure people are in groups of ten, there aren't multiple bubbles in that ten and so on and so on.  
Former police officer Hamish Piercy joined Mike Yardley. 
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Auckland University Covid modeller Dion O'Neale says being fully vaccinated, wearing a mask and staying outdoors reduces the risk at gatherings. 
But he told Tim Dower even allowing ten-person two-household gatherings is risky at this stage in the outbreak. 
"The concerning part about that if that's happening at a point that we still do have ongoing community spread, this change definitely increases the risk that community spread can go much further, much quicker." 
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Disappointment from Auckland early childhood centres they weren't consulted about phase one of the region's road map out of Covid-19 restrictions. 
They'll be able to open to all children from tomorrow, not just those of essential workers. 
However, there'll still be bubbles of 10, and infection control processes. 
Early Childhood Council acting CEO, Sue Kurtovich, told Tim Dower families are calling to get spaces but most centres are already at capacity. 
"It’s rather unfortunate that the sector was not involved at all in this announcement, or having any discussion about it." 
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Concern from a former health chief about the Government's latest roadmap for easing restrictions. 
From midnight, Level Three restrictions will start being eased across Auckland. 
Up to 10 people can gather outside, from a maximum of two households, people can enjoy recreational activities such as bowls or hunting, and early childhood centres can reopen. 
Colin Tukuitonga, the former Director of Public Health, told Mike Yardley it's Level 3, with softening around the edges. 
"It looks like a holding pattern to me to try and get vaccination rates up. So it's trying to do a bunch of stuff all at once, but is not particularly coherent." 
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A reassurance that Covid restrictions will be eased once enough of us are double-jabbed. 
From midnight tonight, Level Three restrictions will be eased across Auckland with more recreational activities allowed, and up to 10 people from two households being allowed to gather outside. 
It's the first step in the Government's new roadmap to ease restrictions. 
Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare told Mike Yardley it sends a clear message, on the path forward. 
"If everyone wants to enjoy the Christmas they enjoyed last year and in previous years we, need to make sure that people are vaccinated. We need them to get vaccinated sooner rather than later." 
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New Zealand's economy could take a hit as experts move on from the elimination strategy. 
Economists are now lowering their GDP forecasts for the fourth quarter, as previous forecasts were predicted on a relatively restriction free economy.  
Infometrics Senior Economist Brad Olsen says told Mike Yardley he's pulling back his expectations. 
"We are going to have these restrictions from Covid-19 alert levels for longer. These step changes are essentially components of level three for Auckland and that is going to be a bit more of a drag on the economy." 
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The Government have released a roadmap for easing Auckland out of lockdown and moving away from elimination.
But the post-Cabinet press conference on Monday has been criticised for being confusing, not answering people's questions and doesn’t meet what people were expecting to hear, especially for businesses.
Brian Tamaki's weekend protest came under criticism, with calls for him being charged.
Over 100,000 people have now signed a petition calling for him to be charged. 
The Waikato men's and women's rugby teams have been criticised for escaping lockdown.
Both teams, which are based in Hamilton, which is in Level 3, have relocated to Cambridge which is in Level 2.
Listen above as Neale Jones and Trish Sherson discuss the day's news with Heather du Plessis-Allan on The Huddle

Long queues at Covid-19 testing stations in Hamilton and Raglan.
Some residents are reporting more than six-hour-long waits to get a swab.
Acting Waikato District mayor Aksel Bech told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's great people are turning up to get tested.
“It’d be great if we were able to get them through way quicker than that. Just overwhelmed, I guess. Too many people for the facilities.”
Parts of the Waikato are staying in Alert Level Three, and not relaxing restrictions at midnight Tuesday like Auckland.
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Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins has admitted New Zealand may not eliminate the virus after today's alert level announcement.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today outlined the phased transition for Auckland in relation to alert level 3 restrictions, which would begin on Wednesday.
Step 1 included allowing outdoor meet-ups with loved ones in groups of up to 10 people and opening early childhood education centres - possible from 11.59pm tomorrow.
Steps 2 and 3 include allowing retail and hospitality businesses to open, however, when these steps will be introduced is not confirmed and will be under weekly review.
Speaking to Heather du Plessis-Allan, Hipkins accepted New Zealand may not return to days of zero Covid cases.
"We have been trending in that direction for the past few weeks and I think people won't be too surprised by that," he said.
He did say the Government would pursue a "zero-tolerance" approach to the virus through contact tracing and stamping out lines of transmission.
Hipkins wasn't able to specify when Auckland would transition to step 2 or 3.
He said it was possible Auckland could be in step 3 in two weeks' time, but there would need to be confident it wouldn't result in a spike in positive cases.
"I don't think we want to be stepping down restrictions if we were to see a sudden escalation of cases."
Asked about how Cabinet would decide whether to move to step 2 or 3, Hipkins said case numbers and vaccination rates would be considered.
However, he was reluctant to cite the necessary vaccination level Auckland would have to hit to relax restrictions.
"I wouldn't set hard and fast targets, but we know where we need to do better and that is younger people, people in poorer communities.
"This is a message for everyone across the country as we transition through this next phase, we need high vaccination rates everywhere if we want to continue the momentum going forward."
Asked whether Auckland's boundary would still be in place by Christmas if mystery cases were still being found, Hipkins said it would be unlikely the boundary would be in place then.
By Adam Pearse, NZ Herald