TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2021 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 POTTER PEGGY COVID-19 PAGES 2-3, 6-13 ONE OF A KIND GOLDEN • ‘Mystery cases’ continue to pose a challenge • Experts went even tighter L4 restrictions PAGE 5 YEARS • Vaccine supply concern as roll-out ramps up FEATURE • Surge in cases to put hospitals to the test INSIDE TODAY • PM reiterates: ‘You are not alone’ EAST COAST CHECKPOINT: A hapu-led checkpoint at Te Araroa has been set up despite local and national saying it was not necessary under Alert Level 4. Those behind the checkpoint say there has been a marked increase in traffic levels on the Coast compared with the lockdown last year and local whanau had seen strange cars and unknown people in the township. Picture supplied ‘...our voices are being ignored so we are left with no choice but to put these protections in ourselves’ by Alice Angeloni emergency and implement static checkpoints for the Coast. HAPU from northern Ngati Porou have set The Minister agreed with Tairawhiti’s Taking up a fixed road checkpoint at Te Araroa after emergency management controller David authorities refused to do so. Wilson, who believed emergency status was The Matakaoa Covid-19 response group say not necessary. roaming police checkpoints Matakaoa Covid-19 response spokeswoman have not reduced traffic and Ani Pahuru-Huriwai said they had asked for that their communities have static checkpoints to control the flow of traffic been offered “less protection” and so far, at a regional and national level, it during the outbreak of the had been refused. matters more infectious Delta variant, “We have given emergency services every than during lockdown in 2020. opportunity to try to bring the risk levels Four people, who will social down for our whanau and they’ve not been distance if not from the same effective. bubble, are operating the “We have tried to communicate this to the checkpoint located at the council, the emergency controller and central intersection of State Highway 35 and Pohutu government, and our voices are being ignored, Road. so we are left with no choice but to put these Tairawhiti area commander Inspector Sam protections in ourselves,” Ms Pahuru-Huriwai into own Aberahama said he would visit the checkpoint said. to speak with those involved this morning but “We see this as a failure from local and had no further comment at this stage. national government to live up to the Static road checkpoints involving the numerous commitments they have made community are illegal. over this past year to work closely with It comes after acting Minister for communities in combating Covid-19.” Emergency Management Kris Faafoi last The group released traffic flow data week rejected a written request from 32 Ngati provided by the police’s mobile checkpoints. hands Porou marae to declare a regional state of CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ............11 Television ...........15 Sport ............ 20-24 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............12 Racing ................16 Weather .............23 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW National .......... 6-10 World............ 13-14 Classifieds .........19 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Monday, August 30, 2021 ESSENTIAL SERVICE: VetEnt lead veterinarian Maarten Van Heuvel performing a procedure on Bolo the dog with nurses Michelle Donald (middle) and Ele Smith during lockdown. Vet clinics are an essential service and are operating under some restrictions. Picture supplied ANIMALS IN LOCKDOWN by Akula Sharma your pets. I’m sure there are many dogs out there loving the extra walks and attention they FARM animals and pets get sick, lockdown are getting.” CHECK-UP: VetEnt lead veterinarian Maarten Van Heuvel listens to the heartbeat or no lockdown, which is why vet clinics are Dr Van Heuvel said during lockdown many of Ivy. Mr Van Heuvel says while lockdown is frustrating for human beings, “i’m sure considered an essential service and operate people might notice things in their pets they there are many dogs loving the extra walks and attention they are getting”. through all Covid-19 alert levels. haven’t seen before which may become a Picture supplied VetEnt Gisborne lead veterinarian Maarten cause for worry. Van Heuvel said the clinic was operating with In such a case, he recommends calling the the situation with you and provide advice and should make sure they have enough in supply some restrictions. vet. assistance if necessary.” and dosage with instructions documented Under Level 4 they can only provide “Be aware that depending on the severity of According to the Ministry for Primary clearly. emergency or urgent care to unwell animals. the problem the vet may or may not be able to Industries (MPI), people sick with Covid-19 “Owners should also ensure they have “Where possible we need to manage cases see your pet. Expect a phone consultation to should avoid contact with pets and other enough petfood, that their microchip details via telemedicine. All routine or preventative assess if your animal needs to be seen.” animals, as they would with people. are up to date and their veterinarian’s contact procedures like health checks, vaccinations or Eastland Veterinary Services’ Ann Sutherland Where there is Covid-19 in a household, details are available.” desexings need to be postponed until we move said they were working hard to provide care animals should not move off the property. SPCA scientific officer Dr Alison Vaughan down from Level 4. to ill animals in this difficult situation and SPCA operations general manager Sam said owners with a private outdoor space “We are still able to provide animals with they had asked their clients to be patient and Powell, said while pet owners who tested inside their property could continue to exercise their medications, as well as food, and we offer respectful. positive for the virus their dogs safely outside with a game of fetch. a contactless pickup arrangement for that. “This includes turning up would be given help with “For pet owners who don’t have access In order to reduce the chance of infection, at your appointment on time, ...remember that arrangements before being to an outdoor area, such as those living clients are not allowed inside the clinic.” wearing a mask and keeping social‘ distancing goes taken into a quarantine in apartments, they can keep their pets According to the SPCA, infectious disease two metres distant from our facility, it was important entertained with food puzzles, hide and seek or experts indicate there is no evidence pets can staff.” for you as much as your to have ready all the a simple game of tug-of-war. spread Covid-19 virus to humans, or that pet Ms Sutherland said pet dog, so that means no information and supplies “These are all ways to make sure your pet is dogs or cats can be a source of infection. owners could take steps to cuddling other people’s needed for someone to care getting the mental and physical exercise they However, they suggest washing hands prevent having to visit the dogs for their animal. need at a time where they can’t do their usual before and after interacting with animals. vet during lockdown. ’ “It can no doubt be an exercise.” Mr Van Heuvel said people should keep a “Feed your pet quality pet unsettling time for those Pet Refuge New Zealand continues to accept safe social distance from other people’s pets food and avoid human food, who receive a positive animals from within Auckland under Covid-19 as they do with each other. bones and scraps. result from a Covid-19 test and are told they lockdown but people from outside the region “I would recommend to be safe, keep your “Keep up with pet medications. If your need to move into MIQ, let alone for pet owners need to contact police or the region’s local pet on a lead where possible and only exercise animal is on regular medication, we are still who need to leave their animals behind. women’s refuge for help. them in your own area, and remember that available to dispense repeat prescriptions. “Making sure everything is in order ahead “Local rescues may be able to offer short social distancing goes for you as much as for “Keep toxic products out of reach of of time to allow your pet to be cared for in term help, and Pet Refuge will work with the your dog, so that means no cuddling other animals. your absence is one less thing to stress about, agencies to arrange collection as soon as people’s dogs and vice versa. “Phone us if you are concerned about your should you test positive.” nationwide pickups resume when alert levels “Enjoy the extra time you get to spend with animal or stock on your farm. We will discuss People with pets that require medication allow.” TURBO POWER: An Awapuni household has upgraded the teddy bear in the window theme of last year’s lockdown to “Turbo in the driveway”. The star of the Dreamworks movie Turbo has been seen regularly around the Awapuni area including promoting the Daffodil Day appeal (go online daffodilday.org.nz) and checking out the surf . but abiding by lockdown rules and staying on the beach, of course. Pictures supplied The Gisborne Herald • Monday, August 30, 2021 NEWS 3 Surfers, hunters flout Alert Level 4 rules by Murray Robertson poaching and illegal hunting on their land,” the weekend. Sr Sgt Higgs said several assaults were Senior Sergeant Trent Higgs said. “There were a lot of them out at Makorori reported in the city and district over the IT was generally a good weekend for Alert Hunting of any kind remains forbidden yesterday and we issued a number of weekend.