Here we go again.
Almost inevitably, I suppose, a case of Covid-19 has been found outside the quarantine facilities. OK, four cases, in one family; origin unknown at the moment. Auckland has been moved to Covid Level 3, and the rest of the country is moving to Covid Level 2. But it’s OK, because the restrictions don’t come in to effect until midday, and the virus is well known for its patience when it comes to implementing plans. Also, the Level 3 restriction is only until Friday. Wait, whut?
This will have international repercussions, no doubt. People have been holding New Zealand up as a shining beacon of how to eliminate and quarantine against further infection. Now that the virus has re-emerged here, there will doubtless be calls saying “if even New Zealand, with all its controls, is seeing the virus re-emerge, what’s the point of us doing anything to try and stop it?” We shall see how this latest outbreak develops. Our Ministry of Health have managed to reach new levels of incompetence in managing the quarantine…let’s see where this one goes.
The day before yesterday, cabinet were discussing the possibility of opening up a "Pacific bubble" with the Cook Islands. this is almost certainly going to put the kibosh on that.
More soon.
