On top of that, 86 percent of all confirmed and probable cases reported in this country since the beginning of the pandemic have now recovered. These are really encouraging figures, and we should be proud of our efforts in getting this far.
But as Dr Ashley Bloomfield said today, we cannot squander all our hard work by slackening off now. We must keep our discipline in terms of following the health and safety guidelines of physical distancing and keeping to our bubbles. The vast majority of you are doing a great job of doing just that.
You may have read today that across our country police received 685 reports from the public of people breaching restrictions – and that was just over the weekend. I’m sure we’d all like to meet up with friends or socialise like we used to be able, but under Alert Level 3 that is simply not allowed.
It risks undoing all the good we have done, and costing more lives, and more jobs. So please don’t do it. Please, please stay home, and save lives. We’ll get to where we want to a lot faster if we all stick to the rules.
READ MORE:
Mayoral update for 30 April
Mayoral update for 28 April
Mayoral update for 26 April
Playlist of mayoral videos
In other news, I’m glad to say a wave-warning alert system has been initiated for Wellington’s south coast.
It’s follows damage caused in Owhiro Bay last month by big swells driving up from as far south as Otago. MetService will provide the swell warning to the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Wellington City Council and Hutt City Council.
I’d like to thank all parties who’ve worked together in the past couple of weeks on this. It’s a really important initiative and I’m sure other councils and emergency organisations around the country will be looking at it closely.
WREMO staff will also report back soon about what happened, and what else can be done with South Coast communities to help further reduce risk and improve their level of preparedness.
Since the lockdown started, the need for food bank services and distribution across Wellington has increased dramatically.
The Wellington City Mission would normally deliver around 80 food parcels each week, but that number has climbed to around 250 since lockdown started.
The Compassion Soup Kitchen offers hot meals to Wellington’s homeless population – their takeaway service has increased from about 70 meals per day to about 130. Those are just two of the organisations doing wonderful work, which your Council is supporting.
Another is Kaibosh. This year they are asking us to donate what we’d usually spend on a meal out to help put a meal on a table for people who need it. Just $20 can provide an incredible 29 meals. Check out social media or our website for more information – and if you can help out by donating to any of these wonderful organisations, please do so.
Finally, a reminder that there is a Council meeting on Thursday at 2pm. That will again be held via Zoom, and you’ll be able to tune in via our Youtube channel. The agenda for the meeting is already online.
Keep up the good work everyone, and May the 4th be with you.
Kia kaha.