‘The safety of our community, our workers and our visitors remains our top priority’
Gisborne has been given a taste of the disruption to come in the wake of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, with public events canned and a big part of the region’s tourism industry brought to an early end for the year.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced harsh new travel restrictions and indicated rules around public gatherings would follow later this week.
That prompted Gisborne’s annual Colour Run organisers — the Tairawhiti Multicultural Council — to call off Sunday’s event, citing “the national view that public gatherings must be avoided as a precaution”.
More than 1000 people were expected to take part.
The Matai mini science symposium scheduled for next month has also been postponed due to nationwide escalation of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Hosted by Matai, leading national and international scientists were to talk at the free public event on April 15 about the human brain, heart, and imaging technology.
Based at Gisborne Hospital, Matai is anticipated to be a world-leading centre in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with a focus on brain injury, heart disease, and other health-related research.
The cancellations followed the Prime Minister’s banning of cruise ship visits until at least June 30 and insistence that any arrivals into New Zealand (except from the Pacific Islands) self-isolate.
“I want to be very clear,” said Ms Ardern.
“These measures are about people, not products. They do not apply to cargo ships or cargo planes or to marine or air crew, and we will be working to ensure we keep sea and air freight routes open for imports and exports.”
Eastland Group chief operating officer Andrew Gaddum reiterated the cruise ship ban did not affect cargo vessels.
“Following the Government’s announcement, the three cruise ships that were booked to visit Gisborne have been cancelled.
“The Government has not restricted the movement of cargo vessels like logging and squash ships.
“The impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt around the world, and this is a very uncertain situation that is changing day by day.
“Eastland Port continues to follow all Government and Ministry of Health advice, and is implementing enhanced border measures for vessels, with stringent health protocols.
“The safety of our community, our workers and our visitors remains our top priority.”
The Prime Minister also said the Government would provide guidance and advice in relation to mass gatherings including non-ticketed events and/or where seats are not allocated, which makes it difficult to trace and contact people.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz echoed the Prime Minister’s comments in a statement on the council’s Facebook page.
“We are taking every measure and we ask that you do, too. Look out for your neighbour, look out for your family, look out for your friends.
“While we don’t have community transmission here, now is the time to prepare.”
Mayor urges care in our community
The council is also taking steps to protect and advise the wider community.
“As a local authority we have a range of responsibilities including being a good employer and protecting the health and welfare of our staff, maintaining levels of service to the district and community, and working with other agencies in any coordinated civil defence response should an outbreak occur,” said GDC internal partnerships director James Baty.
The council had already established a crisis response team.
“This group meets weekly to keep a watching brief on the situation and plan for any necessary steps. They provide information to staff as they have updates to share.”
Business Continuity Plans (BCP), which help the council maintain its core services in the event of a significant local outbreak were also being revised.
“We’re considering exercises and/or testing of BCPs.
“We have reviewed and disseminated our Pandemic Plan, which guides our response and relationships with other key agencies.”
Other actions included checking and replenishing supplies to ensure appropriate PPE and supplies were available for critical functions, as well as increased cleaning in public spaces.
“We’re installing soap and towel dispensers in the staff room and zone kitchenettes and the chambers kitchen and establishing guidelines on how we’ll handle leave for any staff who may be affected if an outbreak were to occur.”
Ministry of Health posters promoting awareness of the importance of washing and drying hands had been circulated across the organisation’s premises.
The council was also liaising with the Ministry of Health and Hauora Tairawhiti and other agencies to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach for staff and customers.
Mr Baty said it had been decided that all non-essential travel will cease and those travelling for essential work would have to self-isolate following their return.
“For our staff we are reminding staff of the support services available for both mental and physical health, preparing our IT infrastructure for staff working from home (if it’s required), sharing proactive health tips, to create healthy habits for themselves and their families.
“Even though the risk of a high-level outbreak is low, the situation’s changing rapidly so we’re making sure we’re well prepared for any sudden escalation.”
Measure upon measure: PM Jacinda Ardern announced on Saturday that all incoming travellers to New Zealand would have to self-isolate for 14 days, and is to announce a major package tomorrow to help those affected by the impact of the coronovirus Covid-19. File picture
