As the clock ticks past  11.59pm tonight, so do the loosening of restrictions New Zealanders south of Auckland have been living with for the past two weeks.

Alert Level 3 signals the beginning of a return to normality for a country that, prior to August 17, had been in a somewhat normal state for the past 477 days since the last alert level four lockdown

While a lower alert level comes with a few more freedoms, a number of restrictions are still in place to keep everyone safe during this time.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the change in alert level did not mean people should be lax in adhering to the rules.

“Level three does not mean freedom, it means caution, it means staying in your bubble, it means distance, it means contactless transactions,” Ardern said. 

For Covid-19 information and updates, visit covid19.govt.nz

For Hawke's Bay residents, here's a rundown of everything you need to know to keep safe during Alert Level 3:

Health: 
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board has freed up some restrictions for visitors in Alert Level 3, but others will remain in place to ensure the safety of patients and staff. 

The following rules apply to visitors to all of Hawke’s Bay DHB facilities, including Wairoa Hospital, Napier Health and Central Hawke’s Bay Health Centre: 

• Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s Emergency Department will continue to have a strict no visitor or support person policy in place.
• One designated visitor from the patient’s ‘bubble’ will be permitted entry
• One visit per day between the hours of 1pm-8pm
• Same visitor for the duration of the patient’s stay in hospital
• Mandatory sign-in upon arrival using COVID-19 tracer App or manual sign-in and face masks must be worn.
• No visitors under the age of 16 will be permitted entry 

The only exceptions to this are: 

• A birthing mother can have one designated support person with her throughout her labour and postnatal stay. That person is their one visitor.
• Children and babies aged under 16 will be allowed one parent/guardian for their entire stay, that person is their one visitor
• Terminally or severely ill patients may have more than one visitor from the same bubble, one at a time, at the discretion of their Clinical Nurse Manager in consultation with the medical lead

The Alert Level 3 visitor policy does not extend to those coming in for an outpatient appointment, radiology, or laboratory unless they are accompanying a child. Those people, unless they have been advised to bring someone with them or cannot drive, should come alone. The DHB also requests all people on hospital premises to wear a face mask.

Chief Medical and Dental Officer Dr Robin Whyman said the amended visitor policy would help ensure the ongoing safety of vulnerable patients.

“We thank people for their patience and understanding as we implement the new Alert Level 3 restrictions.

“Of real importance is that anyone unwell presenting to the Emergency Department to please check locations of interest BEFORE coming to ED. This is to help speed up the triage process in ED as the department will need to run through this checklist with you.

For family members who are not the designated patient’s visitor under Alert Level 3 restrictions, the DHB does have virtual visiting so families can stay connected.

“Patients can use a DHB-owned iPad to video call family members from a bedside stand using the DHB’s free Wi-Fi.”

Anyone who is feeling unwell, for whatever reason, should not visit anyone in hospital.

City Medical Napier:

City Medical would like to thank the people of Napier for their understanding in these unusual times and look forward to providing a more normal service when we get down to level 2. Essentially there is no change from Alert Level 4 to 3. 

• They remain appointment-only unless the visit is for a true emergency such as chest pain/collapse, severe abdominal pain, a broken bone that is obviously deformed, major bleeding, etc
• As much work as possible will be done by phone or online consultation
• Appointments can be made following a phone/online consultation with a nurse or doctor
• They can see anyone who needs a physical assessment who does not have COVID symptoms, contact with a known case or association with a place of interest
• They can arrange for respiratory assessment at an alternate site following an online/phone consultation with a doctor or nurse (only if necessary).
• NB: Appointment times are approximate – patients may be required to wait in their car depending on room/staff are availability

Napier City Council services and facilities: 
Access to most of Napier City Council facilities and services remain the same at Alert Level 3. 

Redclyffe Transfer Station will be open to the public at Alert Level 3, but will not be accepting any recycling and green waste. There will be some changes implemented to keep users, staff and contractors safe, and to manage the expected demand and quantities of waste. Please be patient as we expect it to be busy.

All parks and reserves are open, except for Dolbel Reserve, and all playgrounds are closed. Council has also temporarily closed the basketball hoops at Marine Parade and Anderson Park.

The dechlorinated water stations at Anderson Park and on Marine Parade will remain closed until Alert Level 2.

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise says with the drop to Alert Level 3 there are continuing restrictions on what we can buy, however, we should all do our best to support local businesses. 

Taking care of your mental wellbeing is just as important as your physical wellbeing, she adds.

“Staying in touch with family and friends is one of the best things you can do in times like these. There are also trained counsellors you can talk to, day or night, simply by calling or texting 1737. There are also special helplines for rangatahi and tamariki. If you are finding lockdown hard to deal with you don’t have to go through this alone.”

For further information and FAQs about Napier City Council facilities and services under Alert Level 3, go to napier.govt.nz. 

Hastings District Council services and facilities:
Little will change in terms of Hastings District Council’s operations, with facilities remaining closed but essential services still being carried out.

Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said that while Level 3 meant people could now support their local businesses and cafes that are able to resume restricted trade, it was still important to follow Government guidelines when out and about.

“In these uncertain times we remain grateful that at this stage we have not got the COVID-19 virus in our community, but recognise that it can be a stressful time for many.

“Our thanks go to those essential workers who are working so hard, whether they be in health or ensuring our rubbish, roads and water services continue to operate.

“I also want to thank our community for the support they are offering each other. With it being New Zealand’s Random Acts of Kindness Day tomorrow [September 1], we would love people to go to our
Facebook page and let us know of people who have been reaching out to others – this kind of support is so appreciated at the moment.

“We look forward to when we can come together again with our family and friends, when our businesses can fully open and when events that have been postponed can go ahead.”

At Level 3, council’s libraries, the Hastings and Havelock North i-Sites, Hastings City Art Gallery, Flaxmere and Camberley Community Centres, the aquatic centres, Hastings Sports Centre and Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre remain closed to the public.

Where possible remote, online options are being offered – check the council website for more details.

Parks and reserves are open, but people are asked to follow physical distancing, practise good hygiene and stay at home if they are sick. The mountain bike track in Tainui Reserve, Havelock North, has been closed.

All playgrounds, community barbecues and public toilets are closed, as are public drinking fountains, and the chlorine-removed taps/drinking fountains have been closed off to the public to help prevent the
spread of COVID-19 in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.

Rubbish and recycling kerbside collection services continue as normal, and the Henderson Rd transfer station is open for rubbish and green waste drop-off only, not recycling. Bookings are essential through the council website www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/waste. Only one person per car, and QR scanning is mandatory.

Recycling stations are closed, including the rural green bins – rural residents can buy orange bags (at selected supermarkets) and drop their rubbish off for free at Henderson Rd and Blackbridge (Clive)
transfer stations.

The council’s Lyndon Road Customer Service Centre is closed to the public but the team will be responding to phone, email and website inquiries.

The Animal Control Centre is also closed to the public and officers will only respond to call-outs where there is a threat to public safety or livestock.

Mrs Hazlehurst said it was really important that we help each other and be vigilant.

“The best thing we can all do right now is stick to the health advice which is keeping us safe.”

For any further information please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the council website www.hastingsdc.govt.nz or call customer service on 871 5000.

For information on council services go to www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/covid-19

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