Police are out again today enforcing the rules of the level 4 lockdown concentrating on dealing with any illegal gatherings, ensuring all travel is essential and providing reassurance patrols at places like supermarkets.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said currently 40 percent of police are vaccinated but they will be looking to ramp up that rate. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Yesterday there were eight arrests at anti-lockdown protests and drivers across the country were checked to ensure travel was for essential purposes only.
"We really need to just knuckle down and get through this" - Andrew Coster
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the Delta variant is different and needs a firmer approach because any gathering is problematic.
He said so far police have been pleased with people's compliance with the rules.
"Very good, we're really pleased with the way things are going, you know it always takes a couple of days to settle down into the rhythm of this, but the vast majority of people have been doing exactly the right thing, so we're very happy."
Coster said yesterday's anti-lockdown protests were disappointing and although police respect people's right to protest now is not the time to be gathering.
He said they expect that further protests could be a possibility and police would take a similar approach to yesterday when arrests were made.
"You know people are entitled to express their views but we really just need to knuckle down and get through this and the more we do that the shorter this lockdown is likely to be."
Coster said about 40 percent of police staff are vaccinated but they would like that to be at 100 percent.
"Clearly they're out protecting our communities and obviously their risk level is higher as a result of doing that.
"They're all wearing protective equipment but we're working as hard as we can to speed up that vaccination rate dependant on the ability to access vaccines and get it done."
Coster said the police internal vaccination programme starts up again tomorrow and it looks like they should be able to speed up the rate of vaccinations.
He said today police would be focusing on any gatherings to ensure they are dealt with quickly, ensure that any movement on the roads is only for essential purposes and then reassurance patrols in areas such as supermarkets.
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This is an official COVID-19 ALERT.
All of New Zealand is now at Covid-19 alert level 4.
The alert level will be reviewed after 3 days for all areas EXCEPT Auckland & Coromandel Peninsula which is likely to remain at level 4 for an initial period of 7 days.
A community case of Covid-19 has been identified.
Stay at home where possible & follow the Alert Level 4 guidelines. This will stop the spread of COVID-19 and SAVE LIVES.
Everyone is asked to:
Wear a mask and keep a 2 metre distance from others whenever you leave your home.
If you are sick, call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.
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Practice good hygiene - wash hands often.
Services including supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics & petrol stations will stay open at Alert Level 4. Face coverings are mandatory for all people - both employees and customers - at businesses and services operating at Alert Level 4 involving customer contact.
For more information on Alert Level 4 go to [the government website www.covid19.govt.nz]
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Kia Kaha - Stay Strong