She flew into Dunedin Airport from Wellington yesterday to spend Alert Level 4 locked down with her partner.
Shortly after the announcement on Tuesday, she decided to return to where she spent lockdown last year.
But this time, with a family member of her partner’s in hospital, the timing was ‘‘devastating’’, she said.
She was one of many yesterday who made plans, or changed plans, to fly to Dunedin while it was still allowed.
When Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand’s return to Alert Level 4 on Tuesday, she gave people 48 hours to get home.
That window of opportunity closes today.
Yesterday, Dunedin Airport business development general manager Megan Crawford said it was business as usual at the airport, as much as that was possible.
However, a raft of Covid protocols were in place in the first day of the South’s return to Level 4.
Travellers were greeted by aviation security at the only entrance to the airport that was open.
Masks were handed out to people who did not have them.
And those who were not due to depart yesterday were turned away.
Ms Crawford said 14 flights arrived yesterday, and 14 departed.
The same flight schedule would be repeated today.
But from tomorrow, she said, ‘‘I don’t know what it looks like.’’
‘‘It’s a normal day [yesterday],’’ Ms Crawford said.
‘‘It is for now, which is good, because we don’t want people getting stuck where they don’t want to be.’’
Yesterday morning, passengers who arrived from Wellington exited the terminal from a different entrance from those entering the building.
Those spoken to by the Otago Daily Times as they left the terminal said their flight was largely full, but some seats remained empty.
Students Ash Biggs, of Queenstown, and Lily Smart, of Dunedin, changed travel plans to be in the city yesterday.
They returned to Otago yesterday, rather than Friday as they had originally planned, to make sure they got home before travel restrictions came into effect.
One couple, who did not give their names, said their visit with a grandchild had been cut short.
Ms Crawford said no special protocols were in place for flights arriving from Auckland, but masks were mandatory.
And departing and arriving passengers were segregated at all times inside the terminal.
No retail outlets were open; only jet passengers were allowed upstairs; and staff inside wore masks and gloves.
Airport cleaners were ‘‘constantly’’ cleaning, Ms Crawford said.
During Level 4 last year, the airport dropped to two flights a week.
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If we drop to 2 flights per week for a long time, as in the last level 4 lockdown, there will be more damage done to people and the economy, which are inextricably linked, than could be done by any Delta spread.
I thought the idea was to get people home, not fly to where they want to spend lockdown.
Tell the motorists leaving Auckland in droves.
One thing for sure Ray.....if we allow Delta to take hold, our medical services will be quickly over-run. Are we prepared to throw our frontline healthcare workers under the bus? People who need operations, treatments, dental care etc, get their lives put on hold. Examples are all over the world - do we want that result here? Can we afford that result?
If we were to allow Delta to take hold, all the hard work over the past year-and-a-half will have been for nothing. Money over public health? I'll take the health option, we're nothing without our health. I hate the lockdowns, I too lose money and momentum, but I don't want to see us plagued by an illness either. We're in an almost unique position globally; I believe we should continue to take full advantage of that position. We have enjoyed freedoms most countries can only dream of... let's not drop the ball at the goal line.
BUZZ, my surgery due for next week has been cancelled. I am well aware of the cost to my and many other's health of this stinky lockdown.