It has been a very long 85 days, but we’re now one step closer to freedom and that proper Kiwi summer we’re all dreaming of. Last night, Auckland moved to Alert Level 3, Step 2. That means retail is now able to open (with distancing and masks), and outdoor gatherings and exercise classes can now include up to 25 people. I hope you get a chance to go shopping this week and support local who have been really challenged over lockdown. Christmas is fast approaching and I’m sure our local retail businesses will be very happy to see you.
The easing of restrictions also allows for the reopening of some of our council facilities and services, while taking care to keep both the public and our staff safe. As a quick summary:
· All 56 libraries across the region will be offering a click and collect service, 10am – 4pm from Monday to Saturday. This means that in addition to St Heliers library, Parnell and Remuera Libraries will now have this service too.
· MOTAT is reopening on Wednesday 10 November, and the Auckland War Memorial Museum will be open from Monday 15 November
· The Auckland Art Gallery, the Zoo and the Maritime Museum are working through a phased reopening – check their websites for details
· All community recycling centres and recovery shops will open
· Our Council service centres will open, with the exception of those integrated centres at libraries, which will remain closed
· All public toilets will be open
At this stage, our pools, gyms, leisure centres, venues for hire, holiday parks and campgrounds remain closed. Further detail is available here.
In the meantime, we are doing all we can to support our hospitality industry when we move to Alert Level 3, Step 3. The government has indicated that this next level will allow dining for up to 50 people, and the subsequent ‘red’ phase of the soon to be introduced Traffic Light System, for up to 100 people. You might recall from a previous newsletter that I have pushed for Council to make a number of regulatory changes to allow for outdoor dining and have waived application fees and street trading rents for new applications or extensions while in Alert Level 2 or above. The other part of the solution sits with central government. The Mayor and I have written to Ministers Robertson and Hipkins requesting changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow bars and restaurants to expand their licensed footprint for outdoor dining, and they have signaled that this is something they are investigating. Our Mission Bay Business Association also highlighted a couple of other ‘red tape concerns’ which once explained, I was keen to try and advocate for some changes. Another letter went to the ministers requesting changes around license requirements for toilet facilities, which in their current form require separate facilities for those dining inside to those dining outside. This will be extremely impractical and will be ‘the straw that breaks the camel’s back’ for many small cafes and restaurants. This rule seems particularly contrary to all Council toilets being allowed to be open with no restrictions as to their use. I’m sure all our restaurants and cafes eagerly await a response from central government to these concerns.
On the vaccine front, all three Auckland DHBs have now reached the 90% milestone for first vaccine dose and at least 80% for second dose. In Orakei Ward, we are doing really well with Meadowbank, Remuera (Waiata), Remuera East, Glendowie North and Newmarket now over 90% fully vaccinated. If you or anyone you know is yet to get vaccinated, there is still plenty of opportunity in our local area. The Shot Bro bus will be in Mission Bay next weekend, 19-20 November, many of our local pharmacies are also offering the vaccine, and our local vaccination centres are open every day, no appointment needed. Check the Healthpoint website to see which one is nearest to you. A reminder that those who got their first dose on Super Saturday can now get their second.
Lastly, some wonderful non-COVID news. A bellbird was spotted in Remuera, near Waiatarua Reserve, for the first time in over 100 years. Our community groups have been working so hard to restore our native bush and bring birdsong back to Orakei. What a wonderful testament to their commitment to this great cause! You can read the full story here.
Stay safe,
Desley