Mayoral update 14 during COVID-19 response

Transcript:

Morena koutou

Wednesday 12th of August and i didn't think that I'd be doing another COVID-19 video. However perhaps i was being a little too optimistic.

You may have heard Jacinda Ardern's emergency briefing last night at about half past nine. So I'm following on from the information that we have received yesterday.

There were four new cases within one family in Auckland found to have COVID-19 and they see this as community transmission therefore for the next three days the greater Auckland area from Wellsford to Pukekohe will be under Alert Level three.

The rest of New Zealand, which is obviously us, we have moved to Alert Level two again and we are reminded to do the following:

Out in public let's go back to two meters distancing and if you can't be two meters from other people in public it has now been advised that we wear a mask.

Hand hygiene is back at the top of the things of importance. Lots of washing and or sanitizer and please make sure you're cleaning your surfaces often.

Remember to sneeze and or cough into your elbow.

If you're feeling unwell please stay home. If you're sick call your GP if symptoms are flu-like. You may need testing and please get tested if your GP asks you to go in for a test.

Another thing of real importance now is the need for us to have the NZ COVID Tracer app(this link has been removed as it is no longer current) for tracing your movements. It's been updated. It's free. So all smartphone users please please download the app and that means hopefully all of our businesses will put their COVID-19 QR codes(this link has been removed as it is no longer current) back up and have them in a prominent place at the front of their shops and or entrance ways ready for us to use. Otherwise a good old-fashioned notebook for those going about normal business and work. Jot down where you've been and who you were with.

These measures are temporary while information is gathered but there is one last thing please Opotiki people if any of your whanau asked to come back home this way say no. The Minister for Health Chris Hipkins has stated that all Aucklanders should stay at home in Auckland and this is a very important safeguard for the rest of us in New Zealand.

Once again don't panic buy. Remain calm and check up on our elders around us. Remaining calm and kind is the right thing to do right now and let's see how the next three days go at Alert Level two.

Ka kite. Stay safe and stay well.