Level Three

The initial four-week period of COVID-19 Level Four was extended by five days last Monday, as Jacinda Ardern wanted to maintain the lockdown past ANZAC Day to ensure people weren’t tempted to use the relaxation of the rules to go on holiday over the long weekend.

Today is the first day of Level Three. In practical terms, not much has changed. The main thing is that food establishments are allowed to open for contactless takeaways – either drive-by, pick-up or delivered – so today we had our first lunch “out”, at The Larder, who provided us with a beefburger and fries (me) and risotto (Nicola). I drove down the hill, even though it’s less than 10 minutes’ walk away, to ensure that we could get back home pronto and eat it whilst it’s still fresh. Who’d have thought that such a small thing would be considered a great leap forward, even two months ago? Just as a reminder, two months ago was the end of February, and we’d just returned from Costa Rica; other events from around this time included going to the dentist, taking tours from cruise ships (including the now notorious Ruby Princess!) and ZBD Tours, pub quiz and going out to see Tom Skelton. Happy days!

We are due to stay in Level Three for two weeks initially, after which there will be a further review. Hopefully they will then decide to take us down to Level Two, which allows shops and restaurants to open, with appropriate spatial distancing rules. This also includes Zealandia, so I’ll be able to go back and pick up some tour work. A large proportion of the volunteer guides fall into the “vulnerable” category, as many of them do guiding in their retirement, and are therefore over the age threshold. So us “younger” types may be called upon to fill the demand – if demand there is, of course. We’re not clear on how much there will be for paid tours yet, as it will, at least initially, be Wellingtonians who’ll be our main customer base. As the rules get relaxed further, to Level One, and hopefully eventually Level Nought, other New Zealanders will be able to holiday in Wellington and hopefully will come to see us.

Here's how that all-important chart has been tracking:

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. For the time being, we’re still maintaining our spatial distance, taking walks, doing virtual pub quizzes (both in NZ and UK). We are of course supporting our local hostelries as much as possible – tomorrow we’ve got dinner from Café Polo – and generally waiting for better things.