New Zealand: Dealing well with the virus

A trip to visit family for Blythedale’s Edward Hall now sees him trapped in locked-down Auckland, New Zealand.

The 55-year-old says told the Courier that the lockdown has now been in effect for four weeks but that he, his family and the Kiwis are in good spirits.

His plans to explore the country are on hold with with strict lockdown regulations.

“I am fortunate to be living with family and we are allowed to go out to do shopping at supermarkets, chemists and fuel stations,” he said, adding that limited exercise was allowed however, social distancing rules need to be followed.

Asked whether the New Zealand government has been of assistance to him, Hall said it would only be fair to assume that the country’s own citizens would enjoy the priority of government.

“I stand to be corrected, but last I heard there were nearly 200 000 Kiwis stuck all over the world. The government did extend their visas to September 2020 and relaxed work regulations for certain groups of visa holders,” he said. The South African High Commission has been in contact with him and seemed to be preparing repatriations.

Although Hall said that he would love to come back home now, he was impressed with how New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was dealing with the situation.

“It inspires confidence that they are in control of the situation with a clear plan of action. I guess and expect the infection rate to peak by next weekend and from there levelling out. Only time will tell and what the government’s response will be from there on. A friend said that I chose an excellent spot to weather the storm (Auckland), I tend to agree with him.”

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