Source: Auckland Council
Auckland Council is reminding Aucklanders to stay home and stay local for what will hopefully be the region’s last weekend at COVID-19 Alert Level 4.
Mayor Phil Goff says, “Aucklanders have once again done a great job dealing with the challenges of lockdown. We are close to stamping out the spread of COVID-19 once more, and it’s important we all stay the course so we can move down alert levels and enjoy life with fewer restrictions.
“Remember to stay home unless you are accessing essential work or services, and stick to your bubble. If you go out for exercise, stay within your local area.
“If you haven’t already done so, please get vaccinated this weekend. You can go to a drive-through centre or community vaccination clinic without having to book, or get an appointment at bookmyvaccine.nz.
“Please also remember that if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, or were at a location of interest at the specified time, you must immediately self-isolate and get a test. By working together we can keep everyone safe.”
For information on what you can and can’t do under Alert Level 4, visit OurAuckland.
Under Alert Level 3, Auckland Council facilities such as playgrounds, libraries, pools and leisure centres and basketball courts will remain closed, however some services will be able to start up again. These include inorganic collections, swapping and replacing of council rubbish bins, the opening of the Waitākere Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station and community recycling centres, and regular responses for graffiti removal. You can find the latest COVID-19 information from Auckland Council on OurAuckland.
Auckland Council staff continuing to support lockdown efforts
Auckland Council staff have continued to support other council departments and local agencies to help with efforts in assisting Aucklanders during Alert Level 4. An additional 14 staff were redirected this week, with seven of those to external agencies. This includes working with The Fono Te Atatū and The Clendon Pride Project, delivering food parcels to Aucklanders in need.
Since the region moved into lockdown at 11:59pm on 17 August, a total of 126 staff have been redirected to help, including working with Auckland Emergency Management (AEM), and externally with agencies like Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS), the Student Volunteer Army and the Cook Island Development Agency (CIDANZ).
108 staff are still actively involved in their redirections, with 49 staff on the welfare desk undertaking welfare calls to those who need it.
Weather update
With no weather warnings and only a chance of rain, Aucklanders are set for a nice weekend.
Cr Alf Filipaina, Chair of the Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee, is reminding Aucklanders that although the weather is looking better, they need to stick to the rules.
“When the weather is good, Aucklanders love to get out and about.
“But please refrain from using facilities or risky activities. No swimming, no surfing, and no using golf courses or sports fields. If we stick to the rules, we can move down Alert Levels much quicker and will be able to do these activities safely.
“If you’re on your bubble walk and see people using closed facilities or breaching Alert Level 4 restrictions in general, please phone 105 to report it or use the online tool.”
Exploring and keeping active in your bubble
The hope of fine weather this weekend provides a great opportunity to get out and enjoy your neighbourhood while still sticking to Alert Level 4 guidelines of staying within your bubble.
Auckland Council’s Together At Home campaign provides plenty of things to do this weekend. Whether it is looking for an idea to help feed your mind; wanting to move your body in a new way; finding a new way to lift your spirits during this challenging time; or simply needing something exciting to help the whānau (family) and tamariki (kids) get through the weekend.
There are lots of ideas of how to explore nature in your backyard or at your local park, exercises that you can do as a whānau, or new ways to learn together.
With ideas and opportunities from across the wider Auckland Council group including Auckland Council Libraries, Auckland Council Corporate Records and Archives, pools and leisure, parks services, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Watercare, Auckland Unlimited, Auckland Zoo and Auckland Maritime Museum, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained while also discovering new things about this beautiful region.
