Wairarapa Police having a “staff briefing” on Saturday night at the northern end of Carterton. PHOTO/FACEBOOK
Wellingtonians driving over Remutakas
ARTHUR HAWKES
[email protected]
Police have nabbed several rule-breaking Wellington drivers, nipping over the Remutakas to avoid their busy supermarket queues – despite having a higher concentration of covid-19 infected people, and numerous calls to stay at home.
“You wouldn’t think there was a lockdown with the amount of cars travelling around,” Wairarapa Police Sergeant Ian Osland said.
“We’re even getting Wellington people travelling over to use our supermarkets, because they’re so busy in the Wellington area. That’s how far people are travelling.”
Osland has called for calm and consideration across the region, at a time when some are losing their heads.
“Wairarapa Police have noticed an alarming trend in driver behaviour.
“Drivers through Wairarapa appear to have forgotten about speed limits, and we are apprehending motorists travelling in excess of 120 kilometres an hour on the open roads.”
In Sunday’s press conference, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern didn’t mince words, calling these rulebreakers “idiots”.
This was followed by numerous questions pertaining to Minister of Health David Clark, who was caught mountain-biking in Dunedin.
Ardern also announced that, from Friday to Saturday, the police had conducted 795 patrols and 990 reassurance checks, to make sure people were abiding by lockdown law.
Osland also highlighted mistreatment of service-providers as a cause for concern.
“Another disappointing aspect we are having to respond to is the abuse of essential service staff and personnel who are working through this difficult time, particularly around the medical centres.
“Please remain patient and respectful, all of the processes and protocols that are being imposed are for your safety, as well as theirs.”
He said risks should not be taken, particularly as emergency services were stretched thin.
“This is a time for discipline, a time to be mindful of all the usual habits and behaviours we exhibit without second thought, that might place yourself or others at risk.
“The government’s messages about staying close to home for exercise, sending a representative from within your isolation bubble to shop, and to limit travel are there to stop the spread of the virus.”
No new covid-19 cases were confirmed in Wairarapa over the weekend or on Monday, meaning the tally of confirmed and probable cases in the region remains at eight.
