Auckland Council is reminding Aucklanders to stay home and stay local this weekend while the region remains at COVID-19 Alert Level 4.
Mayor Phil Goff says, “Aucklanders have done a great job dealing with the challenges of lockdown. COVID-19 case numbers are coming down because most people are following the rules. We are close to again stamping out the spread of the virus, so let’s stay the course so we can all reap the rewards.
“Stay home unless you are accessing essential work or services, and stick to your bubble. If you go out for exercise, stay within your local area.
“Book your vaccine if you haven’t already done so—there are plenty of appointments available. Please also remember that if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, or were at a location of interest at the specified time, you must immediately self-isolate and get a test. By working together we can keep everyone safe and get back to life as normal.”
A reminder that under Alert Level 4, Aucklanders must stay at home in their bubbles. You can only leave home for essential personal movement like:
- shopping for groceries
- accessing necessary healthcare
- getting a COVID-19 test or vaccination
- exercising in your local area
- going to work if you are an Alert Level 4 worker and you cannot work from home.
Cr Alf Filipaina, Chair of the Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee, says it’s disappointing to see some Aucklanders breaking these rules.
“I’ve heard reports of swimmers, surfers and even people playing golf on closed courses and playing touch on council fields.
“We’re hoping for better weather this weekend, although it will be windy, but please refrain from using facilities or risky activities.
“Our facilities are closed for everyone’s safety, and don’t engage in activities that may require search and rescue services. If you were to get into trouble, it puts the lives of our emergency responders at risk.
“If you’re on your bubble walk and see people using closed facilities or breaching Alert Level 4 restrictions in general, please phone 105 to report it or use the online tool.”
Auckland Council staff supporting lockdown efforts
Some staff from Auckland Council have been supporting other council departments and local agencies to help with efforts in assisting Aucklanders during Alert Level 4.
Since the region moved into lockdown at 11:59pm on 17 August, 103 staff have been redirected to help, including working with Auckland Emergency Management (AEM), and externally with agencies like Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS), the Student Volunteer Army and the Cook Island Development Agency (CIDANZ).
Some of this has finished, with 84 people currently still assisting.
Storm damage and flooding update
Rapid Building Assessments undertaken following last week’s flooding in west and north-west Auckland have now been completed.
As of 2pm Friday, a total of 169 placards have been issued, including 32 for industrial or commercial buildings.
Auckland Council’s Regulatory Compliance team will be following up with owners that have received a placard and will work with them on getting any issues resolved.
Council General Manager Building Consents, Ian McCormick says, “It is likely that most of the damage suffered to these homes will not involve remedial work that requires building consent, but our teams will be on hand to let owners know what the next steps are.
“We know that this can be a challenging time, and we want to make it as easy as possible for those that have been affected.
“Anyone who has a question regarding the placards that have been placed on their property, or who needs further assistance can call the council’s contact centre and they will be transferred directly to a designated team that has been set up to help them.”
While there is no longer a weather watch in place, Aucklanders in areas already affected by last week’s storm should be aware of potential changes in the weather and be ready in case the weather causes more damage.
Wind will still be a factor with isolated gusts up to 110km/hr in the west and Awhitu Peninsula, which may cause power outages.
For the latest information on road closures, visit Auckland Transport.
Sports Field Maintenance
The sports fields across the Auckland region are valuable assets for not only Auckland Council, but our communities who use the fields throughout the year.
General Manager Community Facilities, Taryn Crewe says under the Alert Level 4 lockdown restrictions, sports fields and other maintenance may not seem essential, but if not maintained to the correct standard the long-term damage to these assets will be extensive and extremely expensive to rectify.
“If you are out and about from Monday 13 September, and you see us mowing sports fields, it is being done to protect these important assets.
“Mowing will only apply to sports fields, as it is currently unsafe to conduct general mowing and maintenance of park, reserves, playgrounds and pathways. Critical health and safety maintenance services will however continue to be provided.
“Unfortunately, the lack of general mowing and maintenance will inevitably result in parks and open spaces looking a little untidy, and we thank Aucklanders for their understanding and tolerance during this fluid and uncertain time.
“We can assure our communities that as soon as restrictions lift and the weather allows, taking care of our beautiful parks and their amenities will once again be our top priority.”
Exploring and keeping active in your bubble
Alert Level 4 means staying within your bubble, but that doesn’t mean being confined to the couch streaming movies all day.
Auckland Council’s Together At Home campaign provides plenty of things to do this weekend. Whether it is looking for an idea to help feed your mind; wanting to move your body in a new way; finding a new way to lift your spirits during this challenging time; or simply needing something exciting to help the whānau (family) and tamariki (kids) get through the weekend.
With ideas and opportunities from across the wider Auckland Council group including Auckland Council Libraries, Auckland Council Corporate Records and Archives, pools and leisure, parks services, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Watercare, Auckland Unlimited, Auckland Zoo and Auckland Maritime Museum, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained while also discovering new things about this beautiful region.
