Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management together with the Southern Police are reminding everyone in Otago to do the right thing and stay home at Easter.

“We know many people would like to head away to their cribs over Easter. While you may think it won’t hurt anyone if you head off for a change of scene, breaking your bubble impacts all of us so you need to stay home,” Civil Defence and Emergency Management Otago group controller Richard Saunders said.

“The Southern District Health Board area has the highest number of cases in the country to date. Travelling to a holiday home not only increases the risk of spreading the virus, it can also put increased pressure on essential services such as grocery stores and medical services.”

Richard said people’s collective efforts over the COVID-19 alert level four period are making a difference. 

“All of our sacrifice is compromised if some people decide to break their bubble and head away,” he said.

“Our message is simple – don’t be an Easter Egg, stay home. Save lives.”

Unless you are an essential worker travelling to or from work, you must stay home, he said. The only acceptable travel is to access essential services like the supermarket, pharmacy or health care.

Acting district commander Darryl Sweeney said police will be working to support Civil Defence and Emergency Management Otago and would be active on the roads in the lead up to and throughout Easter to help people understand their requirements to stay home.

PHOTO: Flickr