New Zealand Enters Snap Nationwide Lockdown – Snow Resorts Closed For At Least Three Days

August 17th, 2021

 

A powder day in Mt Hutt today and contains wil be prime everywhere this week, but resorts are closed as the country enters a 3-day lockdown. Photo: Mt Hutt

Mountainwatch |News

There is a blanket of fresh snow across New Zealand’s resorts after good snowfalls in the past 24 hours and conditions over the next few days should be all time. However, in a cruel piece of timing, the ski resorts will be closed for at least the next three days as a snap country-wide comes into effect at midnight tonight.

There is just one case in Auckland, but NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was important to move quickly: “We’ve seen the dire consequences of taking too long to act in other countries, not least our neighbours.”

The “Level 4 Alert” has the same restrictions as the Stay at Home lockdown we currently have in NSW and Melbourne

  • People instructed to stay at home in their bubble other than for essential personal movement.
  • Safe recreational activity is allowed in local area.
  • Travel is severely limited.
  • All gatherings cancelled, and all public venues closed.
  • Businesses closed except for essential services. For example, supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics, petrol stations and lifeline utilities.
  • Educational facilities closed.
  • Rationing of supplies and requisitioning of facilities possible.
  • Reprioritisation of healthcare services.

Hopefully the snap lockdown will succeed and New Zealand will be able to contain the virus, allowing the resorts will reopen on Friday.  It would be good timing with the Grasshopper writing in his New Zealand forecast today that there is a good cane of more snow next week.