COVID-19 Update

 

Tuesday 24 March

3.38pm

Warkworth Museum

All events are cancelled including the market on April 4 and bingo on April 6. The museum is also closed to the public for two weeks from Monday, March 23, after which the situation will be reviewed.

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9.00am

Council takes urgent action on government COVID-19 announcement

Auckland Council will today hold an emergency meeting to confirm arrangements to enable essential work to be undertaken during the COVID-19 crisis lockdown.

Mayor Phil Goff said, “I’ll be putting to councillors at tomorrow’s emergency Governing Body meeting, a proposal which will allow key governance decisions to be taken by the council during the lockdown period.

“This will likely mean a compressing of all committees into a single Governing Body entity, meeting weekly by teleconferencing or Skype.

“The agenda will be confined to urgent matters requiring Governing Body attention. Depending on technology and ability of staff to meet demands on them, after an initial period, other meetings may also be able to be conducted by teleconference.

“The focus of the council over coming weeks will firstly be on maintaining essential services, including fresh and wastewater, waste collection and disposal and continuation of a core public transport function for essential workers.

“We will also be examining how staff freed up by deferred council activity can use their skills to help public services under pressure, such as health and people’s welfare.

“Auckland Council staff will continue to work from home. Today, 4500 staff logged in to work from home and this will lift to all but essential workers within 48 hours.

“Council welcomes the Government’s decisive action. With the rapid escalation of cases which we have witnessed in other countries, now is the time to break the transmission route for COVID-19 which could not happen under business as usual.

“These are extraordinary and unprecedented times. It is critical that we work together to face the challenges ahead of us. The crisis will have an endpoint and we want to be in a position to embrace the recovery when we have broken the COVID-19 cycle of infection,” Phil Goff said.

The council has also moved today to extend closures of its network of facilities. This follows closures last week of its libraries, pools and leisure centres.

Key closures:
From 5pm today, the following council facilities will close:
All service centres
All local board offices
All community venues, including community centres, arts facilities, community galleries and venues for hire. However, some venues may be required to support the government’s response to COVID-19
The Auckland Botanic Gardens
The Arataki Visitor Centre
Auckland Zoo
All 11 early childhood education centres and our five OSCAR (out of school care) programmes
All animal shelters will be closed to the public. Staff will continue to respond to priority calls like roaming dogs and dog attacks.

From tomorrow, all bookings for our network of baches, campgrounds, lodges and self-contained camping sites will be cancelled.

Buildings, playgrounds and all other facilities in our parks are closed. However, our parks remain open for Aucklanders to get out for exercise and fresh air, as long as they follow the government’s guidance around safe social distancing and isolation. Most toilets in parks and public places will be closed, and those that remain open will receive additional cleaning.

Customers will still be able to access many Auckland Council services, including building and resource consent services, online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or by phoning 09-301-0101.

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Friday, 20 March

2.25pm

Eleven new cases of COVID-19

Director-General of health Ashley Bloomfield confirmed there had been 11 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours at his daily briefing this afternoon. All those that have been investigated so far have a clear link to overseas travel. Five of the new cases were in Auckland. Flight details of the new cases will be posted on the Ministry of Health website and staff on the Ministry’s healthline (0800 358 5453) will soon be able to advise anybody on those flights if they need to self-isolate.  A new email address has been established (nhccselfisolation@health.govt.nz) where people can make enquiries about self-isolation and report breaches of self-isolation. All gatherings of more than 100 people must be cancelled, including weddings and funerals. Dr Bloomfield was joined by Foodstuffs South Island CEO Steve Anderson who, on behalf of New Zealand supermarket chains, urged people to shop normally. He said supply chains remained robust and supermarkets could continue to meet demand.

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11.28am

Auckland Council to close pools, recreation centres and major venues to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission

Auckland’s libraries, pools and recreational centres, as well as the Maritime Museum and Art Gallery, will close for two weeks from today in line with Government recommendations to constrain the spread of COVID-19.

Making the announcement today, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the decision was made with regret, but it was both important and necessary. “Our main concern right now is to protect people’s health and wellbeing and we are doing this by limiting large crowd interactions where the chance of virus spread is high,” he said. “Our 55 libraries across Auckland receive over 250,000 visits a week, while there are 200,000 visits a week to our swimming pools and leisure centres. “The services we are closing are highly used and much loved by our communities, but these are not services which have to be maintained to provide the necessities of life. “I want people to know that this wasn’t an easy decision. However, we get far too many people through the door at these facilities to be able to run them safely in light of the current situation.

“The closure will be for a period of two weeks initially, extended as required depending on the evolving situation with COVID-19 and the advice of Government. The facilities will be closed to the public from later today.

“Our actions follow the recommendations from the Government around the need to keep public gatherings, wherever possible, below 100 people indoors. “Maintaining social distancing in a library situation is difficult and I am conscious that many library users are older people more vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19. “Over the coming fortnight, we will consider what other creative options may be available to enable some services to be reinstated,” Phil Goff said. “This is a great opportunity for people to sign up for our e-lending services like audiobooks, video streaming services and learning databases like Lynda.com. “There will be no fines on overdue library items while the closures are in place.

Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee Chair Councillor Alf Filipaina said, “We need to ensure that we limit the spread of COVID-19 as far as possible. “This will help ensure our people and our communities stay safe. It is about the community.” Councillor Cathy Casey says, “To close our much loved and well used facilities is a major step for Auckland Council. Our priority must be to follow Ministry of Health guidance and keep Aucklanders safe.” Other bodies funded by council that run independently under their own legislation like the Museum will make announcements around how they will comply with new requirements. “We will work with staff affected by these changes over the coming days to look at opportunities for redeployment across our network of services.

“These decisions will not affect the employment of permanent staff, full or part time. Where staff time is freed up, we will look at how they may be able to assist in other areas such as support for District Health Boards, where pressures may grow if the impact of COVID-19 worsens,” Phil Goff said.

The council is also reviewing its wider network of community facilities, including community centres, community art galleries and venues for hire, to ensure that from Monday 23 March these facilities only support classes, activities, programmes and events that allow for social distancing within government guidelines. The council will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and regularly review its position. For the latest information regarding cancellations and closures, visit ourauckland.nz.

For the most up-to-date government response information please go to covid19.govt.nz

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9.22am

AT media statement: No cash fares on buses from Monday 23 March.

Auckland Transport and its bus operators have moved to make public transport even safer as they manage the COVID-19 issue. From next Monday, 23 March, cash fares will not be accepted on Auckland’s buses. This will minimise the physical contact between customers, Auckland Transport staff and bus drivers.

Currently 93 per cent of bus passengers pay using AT HOP and on some routes HOP usage is around 98 per cent. If a customer was planning to buy a paper ticket to travel they will instead be given a free AT HOP card for their journey. This service will be available at AT’s 13 customer service centres listed here: https://at.govt.nz/about-us/contact-us/customer-service-centres/

These AT HOP cards will be limited in quantity and for those who only carry cash. Customers are further encouraged to top-up their cards online using the AT website or AT Mobile app. AT continues to follow the guidelines from the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Health about using public transport in light of COVID-19.

The government has made it clear there is no link between using public transport and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Transport recommends people take extra measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 such as: Avoid close contact (within two metres) with people with cold or flu-like illnesses • Cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing. Place tissues in a rubbish bin if possible • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap and dry them thoroughly: before eating or handling food; after using the toilet; after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses; and after caring for sick people.

In addition, Auckland Transport has already been taking proactive steps to ensure we are ready for a possible escalation of COVID-19. Some of these steps include: Asking Aucklanders to follow the Ministry of Health’s guidelines on self-isolation • Giving personal hand sanitisers to our frontline staff and reminding them that washing and drying hands is still the most effective means of practising good hygiene • Cleaning AT buses, trains and ferries on a regular basis and stepping up the cleaning of surfaces like handrails. We have also identified plans to carry out even more extensive cleaning of our buses, trains, ferries and facilities, if recommended by the Ministry of Health • Building 14 new public hand sanitiser stands to install at key locations across our transport network. All toilets across our transport network are also being fitted with hand sanitiser dispensers • Making sure information and advice from the Ministry of Health on preventive measures are being supplied to our staff, operators and contractors. The frequency of these updates has increased since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in New Zealand was reported • Displaying Ministry of Health posters regarding COVID-19, as well as hand hygiene, in our offices, buses, trains, ferries and other facilities • Creating a COVID-19 section of our website, which we will continue to update with the latest information

Auckland Transport continues to work closely with and take advice from the government and the Ministry of Health regarding COVID-19 safety precautions. Remember that the best place to find the latest information about the COVID-19 situation in New Zealand is on the Government’s special COVID-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/

For COVID-19 health advice and information, or if you think you may have COVID-19, Aucklanders can contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453.

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9.20am

Fashion in the field postponed

Dairy Flat School’s  Fashion in the Field fundraiser, planned for April 4, has been postponed until after May 2.

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8.10am

Albertland Heritage Centre/Gibbs Farm event, April 9 – Cancelled

Matakana Antique Fair, Matakana School, April 11 – Cancelled

Warkworth Men’s Rebus Club meetings – Cancelled until further notice

Puhoi Village Market on March 29 – Cancelled

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8.00am

Numbers seeking COVID-19 test climb at temporary Wellsford facility

After about one week of operation a temporary COVID-19 testing centre set up in a portable building in the car park of the Wellsford Health Centre has so far found no patient testing positive for the virus. Around 10 patients were tested yesterday. Numbers presenting for testing have increased daily since the facility opened last week. Patients seeking testing are advised to phone first on 423 8086, drive to the centre and remain in their cars. Medical staff in protective clothing will come and perform the test in the patient’s car. The test normally takes between 20 to 30 minutes and test results are usually known within 24 hours. Discussions over the possibility of opening a second testing facility in Morrison Drive, Warkworth, are currently taking place with the Waitemata District Health Board.       

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Thursday, 19 March

4.30pm

Anzac Day – Cancelled

Warkworth RSA president Bob Harrison has made the following announcement:
“It is with sadness that I convey the gut-wrenching news that, for the first time in RSA history, the decision for a total ban on all public ANZAC Day services has been made. This extremely difficult decision is unprecedented. However our RSA will do whatever is needed to keep our veterans, their families, our members and our community as safe as possible from the slow spread of Covid-10.
Furthermore, Poppy Day has been postponed until this pandemic passes. You will be kept up to date with alternative decisions.
“Covid-19 is a powerful and dangerous foe and we must all do our bit to keep this virus at bay.
“Additionally, as of today we will be only allowed to have 100 people in the RSA building at one time and this will be heavily monitored.”

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12.25pm

Today’s (Thursday) planned author talk by Janis Grummitt on her new book, Sleep Well to Live Well – Tips From a Recovered Insomniac, at Warkworth Library, has been postponed.

Warkworth Town Hall talk – Cancelled. The talk on Browne and the Buffalo was to have been held on March 26

The Kaipara Flats Club outdoor cinema on April 12 cancelled

Creative Matakana, the week of arts and crafts workshops and courses held each May, has decided to cancel its 2020 programme. Organisers will replicate this year’s timetable of events next year, so participants can either get a full refund or keep their place until May next year.

Whangateau Folk Club says it is likely “there may be no musical events in the hall for the foreseeable future”.

Warkworth Theatre Group has postponed its production of Le Sud, which was due to be staged in mid-May. A reschedule date will be advised later.

Warkworth Bridge Club has suspended all activities for the foreseeable future on advice from its national body. The decision will be reviewed on April 9.

Warkworth Ladies Rebus has gone into recess as they have no venue to hold its meetings following the closure of the Totara Park Village Community Hall.

Matakantata Choir is in recess until the danger from the Covid-19 virus has passed.

Warkworth Music has reviewed its concert programme for 2020 and at this stage does not anticipate cancelling any concerts beyond the first one on April 5. Warkworth Music was forced to cancel the Duo Moller-Fraticelli on April 5, as border control measures meant the musicians were unable to enter New Zealand. 

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9.30am

Bunny hunt cancelled

The Easter event for children at Silverdale’s Pioneer Village, which included a bunny hunt, has been cancelled. It was to have taken place April 11 and 12.

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Wednesday, 18 March

4.15pm

No Hot Diggety Dog

Orewa Lions has cancelled its Hot Diggety Dog event, which was to take place in Orewa on April 5 in view of the possible implications of Covd-19. The organisation is planning to hold it next year instead.

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4.12pm

Covid-19 appears on Coast

A Whangaparaoa College staff member is in self-isolation after their partner tested positive for Covid-19 this morning. The person is one of the eight new cases identified overnight, bringing the total number of cases in NZ to 20. College principal James Thomas says the school has been in touch with the Regional Public Health Service and has been informed by the doctor-in-charge of this case that the college community is at low risk of infection. “This is because the staff member has not been at school for two days and continues to be in good health,” he said. “They are currently in self-isolation. “ I have been asked by the Ministry of Health to emphasise that, ‘…contacts of contacts are not at risk and do not need to be worried’.” A letter informing parents of the case was sent was issued this afternoon. It recognised that the news was likely to cause high levels of anxiety amongst parents and students, and there would be commentary in social and other media. “Please explain to your children that the staff member does not currently have Covid-19 and that they have not exposed anyone else to this virus,” the letter said. For more information, visit the ARPHS’ or the Ministry of Health’s websites, or call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

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4.05pm

New restrictions at Hibiscus Youth Centre

The HBC Youth Centre is Orewa is no longer allowing the general public to come into the centre without first answering questions regarding travel or whether they have flu-like conditions. If you are permitted entry, you must first wash your hands. The Centre advises that these new conditions have been introduced to protect children and staff at the facility.

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2.46pm

Waipu Easter Carnival on April 11 cancelled

Organisers said they were disappointed to make the decision and thanked everyone who had been involved in pre-carnival plans, from entertainers to vendors, sponsors, suppliers and contractors. “This is one of the big highlights on Waipu’s event calendar and our team have been planning it for months.”

Twilight Pasifika Festival cancelled

The festival was due to be held at the Mahurangi East Library on March 28. A new date will be announced and potential stallholders are still welcome to contact the library.

Goat Island snorkel day cancelled

This event was set down for March 28.

Plunket Challenge postponed

Organiser Tania Hamilton says the decision to delay the fundraising event was made because of concerns about Covid-19. “Better play it safe” she said philosophically. “We also had a number of teams pull out. We hope to reschedule for a day later this year.” The event was due to be held at Matakana on April 5.

Kaipara Motorcycle Club cancelled

The trail ride was to be held at Kaipara Flats on Sunday, march 22.

Warkworth School Fiesta cancelled

In a statement in the school newsletter, the PTA says it trusts parents will enthusiastically support other PTA fundraising initiatives that will occur throughout the remainder of the year. The feista was due to be held on on March 27.

Grey Power Warkworth meeting cancelled

The meeting on March 26 has been cancelled because the scheduled venue at Totara Park hall has been closed to the community.

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1.58pm

Beef + Lamb Events

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd (B+LNZ) will suspend all of its events from tomorrow, Thursday, March 18, for at least the next two weeks. Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive Sam McIvor says, “It is paramount we protect our food producers and the rest of the red meat supply chain to keep this important part of the New Zealand economy going.

“The health of our farmers and our people is our top priority and we have a responsibility to New Zealand’s economy to take steps to mitigate the risk of infection.”

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1.52pm

Warkworth Fiesta cancelled

The Warkworth School Fiesta, which was to have been held on March 27, has been cancelled. In a statement in the school newsletter, the PTA says it trusts parents will enthusiastically support other PTA fundraising initiatives that will occur throughout the remainder of the year.

Kaipara Motorcycle Club trail ride at Kaipara Flats on Sunday is also cancelled

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1.39pm

Horizon College opening cancelled

Horizon School, in Snells Beach, have decided to postpone the official opening of Horizon College this Friday (March 20) in the wake of recent Government recommendations. Principal Helen Pearson says the school is disappointed to not be able to celebrate the event at this time, and will advise when it is appropriate to reschedule.

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1.20pm

20 confirmed Covid-19 cases

The Ministry of Health has confirmed there are now 20 confirmed Covid-19 cases in New Zealand – eight up on yesterday. Four of the new cases are in Auckland, one in Christchurch, two in Wellington and one in Invercargill. They are all Kiwis who have returned home from overseas from Europe, the US and Australia. The Ministry of Health’s Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says all eight were in self-isolation. A total of 620 tests were processed yesterday.

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12.50pm

Trap distribution event cancelled

Hibiscus Coast Forest & Bird advises that its Gulf Harbour and Army Bay trap distribution free event , which was to be held at Gulf Harbour Country Club, on April 19, has been postponed.

Gulf Harbour Pro-Am postponed

The biggest event that Gulf Harbour Country Club has hosted since 2006, the Pro Am Tournament (HM March 18), has been postponed until later this year. It was expected to draw around 100 players to the golf course. Director of Golf Frazer Bond says 300 players in around eight corporate groups have also cancelled their games at the club in the upcoming months.

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11.40am

Hub warming event cancelled

An event celebrating the shift of Whangaparāoa Community Hub to 5 Link Crescent has been cancelled. The event was to have taken place on Saturday, April 4 (HM March 18).

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11.15am

Orewa Beach Sandcastle competition cancelled

The Orewa Beach Sandcastle competition, which was to take place on Sunday, March 22, has been cancelled. Organiser Hellen Wilkins of Destination Orewa Beach says this is because of the Government’s directive regarding events of more than 500 people. Sculptors from In Good Form will still make a giant sand sculpture on Moana Reserve – a process which has already begun.

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9.15am

Helping hand from Rotary

Local Rotarians are stepping up to offer assistance in this time of uncertainty. Rotary Clubs are, first and foremost, service clubs – and that means they have members who are ready, willing and able to serve people in the local community. For example, if you feel uncomfortable going out shopping on your own, or can’t get out and don’t have a nearby family member or trusted friend, or have other concerns and, call on your local Rotary Club. There are three local Rotary Clubs covering all of the Hibiscus Coast, including Millwater, Silverdale, Milldale, Orewa and the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Rotary Club of Orewa-Millwater secretary, Brian Mullan, says he is more than happy to be a point of contact. Brian can be contacted on 021 031 1232.

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8.50am

Leigh Raft Race – Postponed

The race was to be held on Saturday, March 21.

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Warkworth & District Museum Tea & Talk – Postponed

The talk was to have been held on Monday March 23, although the museum remains open as usual.

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Tuesday, 17 March

2.50pm

Fishing contest off

The Warkworth RSA Fishing Competition, which was due to be held on April 4, has been cancelled. Additionally, psychic medium Alicia Bickett has postponed her appearance at the RSA until November 18.

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2.20pm

Citizens advice no longer face-to-face

CAB Hibiscus Coast, located in Orewa, is temporarily ceasing to provide a face-to-face services to clients because of the Covid-19 outbreak with effect from 12pm, Wednesday, March 18. The Orewa premises will be closed to clients and CAB will no longer provide third party services out of our CAB, such as JP and Legal Clinics. However, CAB is committed to continuing to provide phone, email and other online services to help clients. People will be able to ring the freephone number, 0800 367 222, and talk to a volunteer during normal operating hours. Email address is hibiscuscoast@cab.org.nz and there is