Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today announced New Zealand outside Auckland would move to Alert Level 1 tonight, while Auckland would move to level 2 on Wednesday.
Mayor of Dunedin Aaron Hawkins this afternoon said people "should rightly be pleased" by the move to Level 1, "but we need to remember how easily that can change".
Mr Hawkins said a continued effort, including good hygiene practices, would be needed to avoid a return to higher levels of restriction.
“Everyone needs to continue to do their bit to keep Covid-19 under control and away from the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Today’s announcement by Ms Ardern means that as of 11.59pm, Dunedin will join other centres – except Auckland – in stepping down to Alert Level 1.
Mr Hawkins said most Dunedin City Council services and facilities were already operating at Level 2, but with some restrictions including physical distancing.
With the step down to Level 1, all services would return to normal, although contact tracing – via the NZ COVID Tracer app or a paper diary – would remain important.
People should also continue to practise good hygiene and stay home if sick.
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Did someone wake him up???
Thanks Mayor Hawkins, really punchy stuff messaging there. May i suggest you focus on the frivolous spending on dopey projects and our record debt your management is heaping onto ratepayers. That would be useful rather than your virtual signalling.
Ohh, up he pops! Good of him to have a voice here.
I suspect the delay to the new hospital (which will never be built), or the loss of 300 car parts from the railway station displacing even more Dunedin commuters was just too complex for Mayor Green to comment on.
Such a Leader.
He's starting his reelection bid. Has to show he's done something other than hitchhiking.