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HEALTH-VIRUS-NZEALAND-LOCKDOWN
Ferries, airports swamped as Kiwis rush home for virus lockdown
WELLINGTON, March 24, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Police were called in as huge crowds
swamped a New Zealand ferry terminal on Tuesday with people rushing to get
home before a four-week coronavirus lockdown begins, as panic buying stripped
supermarket shelves bare.
Tensions rose as hundreds of desperate travellers tried to secure spots on
the roll-on, roll-off ferries that link the country’s South and North Islands
in Picton.
“An influx of people who don’t have tickets for a crossing are turning
up,” police said, advising those without bookings to stay away.
Air New Zealand, which is running a skeleton international service, laid
on extra domestic flights to get people home before the initial lockdown
deadline begins at 11:59 pm (1059GMT) Wednesday.
In response to the chaos at ferry terminals and airports, the government
granted a two-day extension until Friday for those returning home to self-
isolate.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern acknowledged many people were facing
difficulties getting home but called for patience.
“Never before have we sought to shut down our country in 48 hours… I
know it’s stressful, particularly for those at ferry terminals, but we will
work through these issues,” she told reporters.
“We will clear people to get home.”
Police were also monitoring huge queues at supermarkets across the country
amid panic buying, despite assurances from authorities that supplies remain
plentiful.
Countdown, one of the country’s largest supermarket chains, said three
weeks of unprecedented demand peaked with a shopping frenzy after Ardern
announced the lockdown on Monday.
“It’s got to stop guys,” Countdown spokeswoman Kiri Hannifin told Radio
New Zealand “It’s not our fault the shelves are empty, it’s the way people
are shopping, and it really isn’t necessary.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told tens of thousands of
New Zealanders who had been holidaying internationally and were now stranded
overseas to stay where they are for the moment.
“It has become very difficult to return to New Zealand from all around the
world,” he said in a statement.
“We are reaching a point where the best option for most New Zealanders
offshore is to shelter in place, by preparing to safely stay where they are.”
New Zealand has 142 confirmed COVID-19 cases and Ardern said numbers would
continue to rise until the lockdown took effect.
“I wouldn’t expect to see a slowdown for 10-12 days, so people should not
be alarmed if they see the numbers continue to grow,” she said.
“They should not believe that means we are not being successful.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/1111 hrs