VIDEO: Hawke's Bay police aim to educate through Covid-19 checkpoints
Hawke's Bay police have been out in force manning checkpoints around the region and ensuring compliance at the different Alert Levels.
Senior Sergeant Mark Clayton, Eastern District Deputy Road Policing Manager, says primarily their role is one of educating and reminding people of the new restrictions now the region is in Level 3.
"Certainly there is some legitimacy in travelling but you should be remaining within your own area and staying at home unless it is essential travel, or leaving the home for personal reasons such as walking the dog or exercising within your own area."
The country, south of Auckland woke up to a little bit more freedom on Wednesday, having been in a strict Level 4 lockdown for the past two weeks.
Clayton said Level 3 checkpoints will continue throughout the Eastern District, which extends from near the tip of East Cape through to southern Hawkes Bay.
"We're concentrating primarily on the feeder roads and State Highways in and out of the district."
While they appreciate the region has had beautiful days, Clayton said they are finding some people are travelling "simply for the sake of travelling".
"It's not essential travel, so we are hoping will stay within their neighbourhoods and within their shopping centres and communities."
Essential workers and businesses should have authorisation from MBIE or their primary industry such as the farming or horticulture sector.
But people can also legitimately break their bubble if they feel threatened or their life is in danger.
"Police are still here for you."
