Waipā to move to Step 1 of Alert Level 3

Waipā District will move to Step 1 of Alert Level 3 as of 11:59 pm tonight, Wednesday 27 October.

The decision, announced by Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins during this afternoon’s 1pm press conference, will see the gradual easing of restrictions within Waipā and the wider Waikato region.

While the district will remain in Alert Level 3, the shift will allow residents to take part in more recreational activities and will widely resemble the easing of restrictions in Auckland.

Accompanying this announcement of the easing of restrictions was the announcement of an additional six cases in Waikato, but none within the Waipā district.

Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest welcomed the decision, saying it would provide a necessary respite for residents.

“Our district’s residents have been feeling the frustration of the ongoing lockdown, so its nice to get some clarity and an overall goal to work towards.”

Mylchreest reminded Waipā this was a gradual easing of restrictions, but warned residents not to take this as an opportunity to make decisions that would jeopardise the health response.

“The vast majority of Waipā have been vigilant and following the rules around lockdown. It’s important we keep this up, and keep up the great work.”

Under Step 1 of Alert Level 3, social gatherings between two households is allowed up to a maximum of 10 people, however must be conducted outside and participants must be wearing masks.

Early learning centres will be able to reopen to all children, up to a maximum of ten children per bubble. Playgrounds will also reopen within Waipā district.

Face-to-face appointments with healthcare providers can now resume as normal.

Step 1 also allows for travel for the purposes of recreation within Level 3 boundaries. This includes golf, hunting and diving.

The border with Auckland will remain closed, with non-essential travel prohibited under the current Alert Level conditions.

More information will be available on the Unite Against COVID-19 website at https://covid19.govt.nz/.