Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has spoken of the “huge tensions” between looking after the health of New Zealanders but also saving the country’s economy and he wants to come out of the level 4 lockdown as quickly as possible; and popular Wellington dairy company Zany Zeus has been saved after falling into financial hardship. The company, which sells organic milk products, went into receivership in December last year.
* The New Zealand Herald
In the New Zealand Herald, fifty new cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday, the lowest in a fortnight, as the number of tests hit a record. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: ‘I remain cautiously optimistic that we are starting to turn a corner.’
In other news, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has spoken of the “huge tensions” between looking after the health of New Zealanders but also saving the country’s economy and he wants to come out of the level 4 lockdown as quickly as possible.
In business news, more than 40 people are facing prosecution for flouting lockdown rules, as police gear up for checkpoints over Easter. New Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said New Zealand was now at a stage where people knew the rules but some were flouting them anyway, including surfers.
* The Dominion Post
In the Dominion Post, the elastic bands of 100,000 decade-old face masks are crumbling in the hands of the frontline hospital workers they are meant to protect. Staff at Hutt Hospital say masks provided by their employer are duds leading many to fear for their health amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In other news, the Government is extending the time that certain priority groups are able to get their flu vaccine before it’s made available to the wider public. They’ll now have until April 27 to get the jab.
In business news, popular Wellington dairy company Zany Zeus has been saved after falling into financial hardship. The company, which sells organic milk products, went into receivership in December last year.
* The Press
In The Press, a man who crashed into and killed a cyclist going for a bike with his daughter was wanted for burglary and was apparently driving to visit a friend during lockdown. Clint Hoeben was killed while out on a short ride in North Canterbury with his 14-year-old daughter, Tara, on Thursday last week.
In other news, table tennis, long chats on the phone and making a bed out of pallets are activities keeping Cantabrians busy and in high spirits during the lockdown. As the nation marks the halfway point of the level four lockdown aimed at halting the spread of coronavirus, Stuff spoke to a few families about how they are coping.
In business news, one of Christchurch’s newest hotels is among the first to close due lack of bookings as lockdown restrictions bite the tourism sector. Hotels have been deemed an essential service as some people may need a place to self-isolate away from their regular residence, and for those who have to travel for essential business.
