Health

Covid-19 isolation hard going, even for the Chatham Islands

18:10 pm on 8 May 2020

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Living in isolation isn't new for the residents of the Chathams - but being completely cut off during the lockdown has been hard going, even for them.

The challenges of losing loved ones and getting access to supplies are amplified when you're 800 kilometres east of the South Island - fortunately they haven't had a single case of Covid-19.

The government decides on our next move in our Covid-19 response on Monday. Until then, New Zealanders wait, feverish with the freedom and possibility of what a move to level two promises.

On the Chathams they have been following the rules just like the rest of us - only it's been weka hunting and pipi-gathering rather than sour dough starters keeping many islanders busy.

Mayor Monique Croon says there are some tough times ahead for Islanders, and it has been an upsetting few weeks under lockdown.