Whanganui iwi poised to offer support and urge whānau to stay calm

Date Created: August 12, 2020

The government has announced that as of midday Wednesday, the Auckland Region will go into Alert Level 3 for three days and the rest of the country will move to Alert Level 2.

The Te Ranga Tupua chairs met in advance of last night’s government announcement to be sure we were ready to support our hapū and whānau should there be an outbreak of Covid-19 in our community.

Ngā Tāngata Tiaki chair Gerrard Albert said Whanganui iwi leaders have been preparing for the potential of a second wave of Covid-19 for some time and whānau should remain calm.

“We are prepared and resourced to reignite our Covid-19 support hub and offer direct support services at short notice, but there is currently no reason to do so,” he said.

“We understand that this can be a stressful time for whānau but we are reminding everyone to stay calm and follow the Emergency Alert Level rules for the next three days.

“For us here in the Te Ranga Tupua region, that is Alert Level 2.”

Te Ranga Tupua chairs acknowledged that if a community outbreak manifests, our whānau, hapū, iwi, marae and kura will take responsibility for ourselves and likely move faster than any to protect our people, especially our most vulnerable such as our kaumatua and health compromised.

“Our people are reminded that no matter where we are, we should continue to maintain high standards of hygiene, exercising social distancing, avoiding unnecessary travel and kanohi ki te kanohi hui if possible is best practice,” Mr Albert said.

If you are sick stay home and isolate.  If you are experiencing flu like symptoms, please call your doctor or present to a Covid -19 testing station to get tested as soon as possible.

Mr Albert said should the country move to higher Alert Levels, Te Ranga Tupua will once again provide collective advice and advocacy, including for tangihanga and checkpoints.

Regular updates will be provided via the Te Ranga Tupua communications channels over the coming days.

As was reinforced between March and June this year, no matter the Emergency Alert Level, each of us can do our bit to protect each other. Ko au, ko koe, ko tatou katoa te taupa. Kauparengia! (You, I and all of us are the boundaries that will ward off this threat!)

FURTHER INFORMATION FOR WHĀNAU

What does this mean for Auckland?

Under Alert Level 3, you are encouraged work from home if you can.

If you are currently in Auckland and do not live in Auckland, we suggest that you go home. Practise good hygiene and be conscious of your health. We recommend that you keep your bubble small.

Businesses are able to open, but should not physically interact with customers. Essential services including healthcare, justice services and businesses providing necessities are able to open. Bars and restaurants should close, but takeaways are allowed.

Schools in Auckland should close, except for children of essential workers. We encourage students to learn from home if possible.

Maintain physical distancing of 2 metres outside your home, including on public transport and it is highly recommended that you wear a mask if you are out and about.

Public transport can continue to operate with strict health and safety requirements. You should maintain physical distancing and wearing a mask.

Public venues should close. This includes libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds and markets.

Gatherings of up to 10 people can continue, but only for wedding services, funerals and tangihanga. Physical distancing and public health measures should be maintained.

Inter-regional travel is highly limited to, for example, essential workers, with limited exemptions for others.

People at high risk of severe illness such as older people and those with existing medical conditions are encouraged to stay at home where possible, and take additional precautions when leaving home.

What does this mean for the rest of New Zealand?

The rest of New Zealand will go into Alert Level 2 on 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August. You can still continue to go to work and school, with physical distancing.

Wear masks if you can in public.

No more than 100 people at gatherings, including weddings, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.

Businesses can open to the public if they are following public health guidance, which include physical distancing and tracing.

People at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, for example those with underlying medical conditions and old people are encouraged to take additional precautions when leaving home.

Practice good hygiene - stay home if sick.

Ends.