Covid Watch

On Monday it was announced that any essential workers crossing the Auckland border would need to have a test and they would need to have that test before midnight Thursday.  
On the quiet it's been changed to midnight Thursday...next week.  
It's a big win for the freight industry who were warning that this would be unworkable.  
Nick Leggett, the chief executive of the Road Transport Forum says these extra days are “incredibly important.” 
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There are 15 new community cases today which brings the total size of the outbreak to 855.  
Of those cases, it’s been revealed that 702 had not been vaccinated, 115 had received 1 dose and 38 were fully vaccinated.  
Whether those in the hospital were unvaccinated or not is still to be revealed, but Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says it is his understand that not many were [vaccinated]. 
There has also been much confusion around whether holiday makers could travel to and from Northland, through Auckland.  
Far North Mayor John Carter yesterday told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he didn’t believe they could. 
Chris Hipkins however says for those outside of Auckland, “so far as people are complying with alert level 2 requirements, they can travel.” 
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Everywhere outside Auckland is now at level 2- meaning businesses can open to customers, with strict rules on masks and social distancing
A Christchurch barbers has never been busier ... since the city moved to level 2 this morning.
Benny's Barber Shop is fully booked for three days straight.
Owner Ben Scott says they've been slammed.
But a Wellington cafe owner says business hasn't returned to normal under level 2.
Customs cafe owner Tim Norris says they've stuck with their level 3 set up [from last time] and are operating mostly through their door and window.
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An Auckland Councillor thinks hospitality businesses should be able to use footpaths and carparks for dining in lockdown.
Councillor Richard Hills says it could be a new way to add revenue and keep hospitality alive through a challenging time.
He says the idea's been rolled out across the world with a lot of success.
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I know this move today to Level 2 is a step in the right direction; God only knows we all want to get down this level slide ASAP and back to some kind of normality. 
But I hear the businesses who're saying this Delta 2, the heavier version of Level 2 with new mask rules and capped numbers on indoor venues, is actually really tough.  
Many say they're just not profitable this way, small cafes and bars for example. By the time they socially distance the tables, mask up all their staff and cap their patronage at 50, it's barely worth opening the doors. 
Then you've got gyms, with people expected to sweat and pump iron while stringently remaining 2 metres away from any other gym goers or an instructor. Yoga classes with mats separated 2 metres, that doesn't leave you much room unless you have a huge yoga studio.  
How this plays out inside hairdressers who'll have to leave gaps in chair space, cinemas, churches, it's still a juggle for them, and many won't be making anywhere near the money they'd expect to be making in a regular level 2. 
You've also got compulsory scanning in, so that's an extra challenge for staff at venues to police, and is this the job of retailers and hospo workers? To enforce you wearing your mask and that you've scanned in? How do they deal with the odd person who refuses or doesn't want to? 
Wellington's Chamber of Commerce is reported as saying three quarters of businesses could operate at this new version of level 2, but not all of them. 
The challenge? The 50-person limit. 
A director of several hospitality businesses in Wellington was reported as saying the new Level 2 rules would have "a huge effect" on businesses, some would not open at all given it would not be financially viable.  
He said in one report that, "100 people was tough but having to make 50 work is a million times more difficult." Like many other businesses, he's just hoping for a fast transition to Level 1. 
But will it be a regular Level 1? Or can we expect a Delta Level 1 with additional restrictions? 
The Government hasn't given any detail on that yet. Nor do we know when a Level 1 might be in sight. 
For those of us still in Level 4 in Auckland, having a shop or a cafe even open would be a thrill, even if you do have to mask up and socially distance.  
At least in Level 2 you have access to a hairdresser, and some food you haven't had to cook yourself, and a cafe coffee.  
I mean these are things Aucklanders would kill for right now, so while a lot of New Zealand is whining about the restrictiveness of Delta Level 2, just remember those of us still languishing in Level 4 would trade places with you in a heartbeat.

Northlanders remain in the dark about what forms of travel will be allowed with the rest of the country. 
The region is now at Alert Level 2. 
But travel between Northland and Waikato, through Level Four Auckland, is restricted to approved essential travel with appropriate documentation. 
Kaitaia Business Association chair Andrea Panther told Mike Hosking no one is sure what will be considered "essential travel" and what won't be. 
"They've been told you've got to have paperwork and evidence of why. So, if it's personal, or for family reasons I don't think that's going to cut it, but we're not sure." 
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Welcome to Delta Level 2. 
Well, for most of the country, Auckland still has work to do. 
For a lot of Kiwis, the last few weeks have involved plenty of time in front of the television, with some even complaining they have run out of content to watch. 
Sky owns streaming service Neon and Head of Entertainment Programming Kristen Prendergast joined Kate Hawkesby. 
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The Health Minister says the country's busiest hospital remains its best equipped for dealing with Covid patients. 
Four wards at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital have been closed to new admissions and about 30 staff have been stood down for two weeks, after a Covid-positive patient was treated there.  
Another patient has told Newstalk ZB the man was kept in a regular ward, hours after first showing symptoms. 
Andrew Little told Mike Hosking questions clearly need to be answered, but the hospital has robust processes in place. 
"Middlemore is probably the one hospital that has dealt with the most Covid patients, has the most rigorous infection prevention and control measures, has got two Covid wards, they know how to deal with Covid and manage Covid patients." 
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Northland has become an island under the new Level Two restrictions. 
While many businesses can reopen, travel between Northland and the rest of the country through Auckland is restricted to approved essential travel. 
That means the crucial tourism sector remains in hibernation for now. 
Jereon Jongejans from Dive Tutukaka told Kate Hawkesby everyone hopes the restrictions can be safely removed soon. 
"I sort of agree with being a bit cautious. It would be nice to have a kōrero in there, but to organise all of that in the mayhem we've got at the moment is a bit tricky." 
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Relief in the construction industry. 
The Government's agreed to allow manufacturing of some building products to restart in Auckland during level 4. 
There's been a supply chain issue looming because those in level 2, in the rest of the country, can resume construction. 
Construction Industry Council chair Graham Burke told Kate Hawkesby it's a problem they'd been talking with the Government about before the dual Alert Levels were announced. 
"Obviously quite complex, and we're very pleased we've come out with an approach that will hopefully work." 
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