Day Eighty-seven

Feest Isolation Days – 9 June

From Monday, everyone entering the UK from all ports (unless they are on the list of exemptions) must quarantine for fourteen days or face fines of a thousand pounds. The government is holding firm on this despite uproar from the travel industry and claims from some quarters that they don’t have the capacity to enforce the measures.  Nevertheless, the plans are in place and have begun. 

The official Foreign Office website reminds us that the government view is that we are all to avoid all non-essential international travel. As some fifty million trips are made abroad each year by Brits this is a big but important ask. Most countries don’t want visitors from these islands – yet.  Get the rate of infection down first is their sensible approach.

So who decides what is “essential” international travel?  With the obvious exceptions and exemptions in place like medics, freight and so on, it’s up to the individual. It’s a very British way of answering a question. It’s up to the individual to decide what is “exceptional” travel but as insurance companies usually follow foreign office advice the “advice” remains…in other words, stay home. But if you must go, go!  But we don’t think you will be able to be insured and we highly recommend you don’t travel without insurance. It does sound remarkably like a policy discussion from that classic – Yes, Minister. 

Freedom of the individual seems to be protected in government directives. Maybe that’s why the government didn’t intervene when the protestors were demonstrating this weekend.  Against all government advice. Or could it be that was different? Perhaps the government has simply lost much of their authority. As individuals, many of us are certainly taking the matters into our own hands these days. Many of us continue to follow the science and social distance and abide by the rules. The simple reason for this is that the virus has NOT disappeared!

Several years ago we took visitors to see the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. They are worth a peek.   There were signs everywhere that said “no photography”. An American man in shorts with a big belly and a huge camera strapped around his neck asked the Beefeater what would happen if he took a photograph.  The Beefeater, using typical English irony, subtly replied, “Then I would have to tell you not to do it again, sir.”  The man walked away and there wasn’t even a single click from his camera.  The Beefeater exchanged a smile with us, and I so wish I had a camera on me then!  Yes, there are rules, and one needs to know how to get round them.  Safely. 

Meantime, I had an email from Jacinda today (Okay from her party, but it’s from her!). I liked it so much I thought I’d share the whole email with you.  Now that’s what I call success!  And yes, I am a tiny bit envious of my kiwi pals, for all sorts of reasons!

Good evening Kathy,

There are two pieces of good news that I’m happy to be able to share with you today. First, there are now no active cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. Second, we announced today that as of midnight tonight, New Zealand will move down from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1. 

This means that New Zealanders can return to a life that feels as normal as it can in the time of a global pandemic. There will be no more physical distancing. No more gathering limits, and no more restrictions for hospitality. It means retail is back without limitations, and public transport and travel across the country will be fully opened up.

And, it is thanks to you. We were only able to make this decision because over the last 11 weeks, our team of 5 million has managed to achieve something that many believed would not be possible – we stayed home, we broke the chain of transmission and together, we saved thousands of lives.

When faced with the threat of a virus that was spreading rapidly around the world, taking people’s lives and taking people’s livelihoods, we knew that we had to go hard and to go early to protect New Zealand from the same kind of devastation we were seeing elsewhere. 

And together, we’ve done just that. As we return to a life which looks much more normal, there is – of course – much still to do. We must also remain mindful of the global situation and recognise that the virus will be in our world for some time to come. We are confident we have eliminated the transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now, but elimination is not a point in time – it is a sustained effort. We almost certainly will see cases here again, but when that occurs it will not mean we have failed. We are prepared for future cases.

The global economic impacts of COVID-19 will, of course, be felt for some time, and as a Government, implementing our economic recovery plan to rebuild the economy is our top priority. We all have a part to play in this. I encourage you to buy, play and experience New Zealand-made. Consider it an extra form of support, to visit our country, buy our local products and support our local businesses. 

Over the coming week, and beyond, I will be announcing more of the steps we’re taking to support jobs across the country, back our businesses and get the economy moving. But for now, I want to leave you with a final thank you, for helping us reach this milestone.

Thank you,

Jacinda

With love

Kathy x