Kiwis in lockdown – day one

It is March 25th 2020, 6.00am, day one of a National lockdown in New Zealand, to try and stop the spread of the untamed “Beer” virus. Covid19….total cases hit 205 with community infection….no death

It has been a few days of very strange emotions, panic, calm, anticipation, intrepidation and preparation, generally a little anxiousness as we all step into the unknown for a month (at least).

Step back to the weekend…

Beer pong on a Saturday night – a whisper of social distancing – beer pong table distance apart.

Fishing on Sunday Dan and his mate finally hooked onto a good spot, and now coastguard has said no boats out for the lockdown month. Where we slept last night is where we sleep for the next 30 days.

So on Monday…(today is thursday), before the PMs announcement that we would be locking down on Wednesday – I needed a shop after the weekend….No Speights in sight in the beer fridge….but managed to procure a box at the liquor store! They had plenty. That was about to change within an hour of my somewhat busy shop, the word was out we were heading for a lockdown…..and then the panic buying really started…the queues to get in supermarkets were along the street, not even a lonely box of “lion red” and the liquor shop sales increased by 1800%. By Tuesday not a Speights or Heineken in sight! One solo box of”Corona” totally isolated in the beer fridge with no one within a 2 meter radius! While this is not all about beer, I guess what I’m saying is that here in NZ we are seeing a human behaviour that we have never seen before – a desperation and reaction to what we can only imagine it would be if a war was impending.

Ok so working through final stages of lockdown, I received an email on Tuesday (a days notice) that Riverhaven, where I am staying in my cottage, is now a holiday park! (And all cottages must be vacant for the lockdown) The “Holiday Park” being the lastest catchphrase in an attempt to say we cannot stay here for 3months in one hit! Actually my share certificate and docs signed years ago do not tout the words “Holiday Park” in any form. It is no secret I was due to leave next week and head to USA and george back to UK. Apart from the fact there are no flights, I didn’t think everyone here disliked me that much that they would rather send me (and George) to places that are rife with this virus, than show a little compassion and kindness at these unpresidented times and maybe speak to me face to face and offer the days in lockdown….as an extra. However, it’s where I slept last night …. so be it “Jacinda” has spoken!

Social distancing begins…can’t see neighbours, family or friends, only those in your pod….that’s me, George and Trudi!

We are allowed to go for a walk by ourselves – had a small practice yesterday – beach was isolated – we are lucky to have this in our walking zone, as one of the rules is don’t get in the car and drive to the beach – you must stay in your community – and as infection cases doubled in the last two days our government declared a state of emergency, not only will we see police in numbers we will experience millitary enforcement control!

As I said earlier it is day one! Anxiety levels have been high over the last few days as we close all non essential business, many lose jobs ( for the short term at least), or face the prospect of not having a job as their workplaces may not reopen when this is all over. I pray my family and friends get through this time in good health, both mentally and physically….possibly a bit more phone and FB action!