Luke Kirkness: Why we can't pussyfoot around Covid-19 rule-breakers anymore

OPINION:

Rules are made to be broken.

We've all heard the saying, which implies there are times when we should think for ourselves and not obey every rule laid down on us blindly.

There have been several occasions this year concerning New Zealand's Covid-19 response and lockdowns where people have taken this saying to heart.

There have been a number of notable examples including high-profile protests and the partygoers from Auckland's North Shore.

Hundreds, if not thousands, have protested the lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and all manner of things related to Covid-19 lately.

And last weekend, about 50 young people gathered for a boozy party in Redvale that has angered the Auckland community who have religiously followed lockdown rules.

About 50 people attended a party in Redvale north of Auckland last weekend. Photo / Supplied

Masks aren't worn, social distancing isn't recognised, and health experts have said these gatherings could help the virus spread like wildfire.

Other important law-breaking events to recognise include an array of absconders fleeing Auckland and managed isolation facilities.

These all happened before it was revealed Auckland would remain in lockdown for another two weeks and it could be even longer.

By the time the next decision is made for the region possibly leaving the heightened alert level, they will have spent 11 weeks in either level 3 or 4. The level 4 and 3 lockdown in March and May last year was 52 days long. When the current Auckland restrictions are re-evaluated in a fortnight, it'll be 76 days.

As of Tuesday last week, 2630 people had been granted requests for exemption to leave the Auckland border. Their travel was completely lawful. There are only a handful of reasons an exemption would be granted, and the Ministry also requires a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of travel.

However, given the rates at which the virus is able to get out of Auckland or through the nation's borders, even for a brief period of time, how well protected do you feel?

The real danger, though, appears to come from people who believe they are above the law.

Instead of dishing out fines, hard prison time would stop future rule-breakers. Photo / Dean Purcell

There will always be those who think the laws do not apply to them, and people have long called for the book to be thrown at these Covid-19 rule flouters.

While the majority obey the laws set down upon them by the Government, others do not.

Dishing out fines doesn't appear to be working and all this coverage of the protesters and partygoers may just balloon their egos and status among those who share the same values and beliefs about the virus.

Hard prison time is the answer. Future rule-breakers would surely be deterred if they were sent to the slammer.

No one wants to be in lockdown, but the prospect of being stuck at these heightened alert levels deep into summer appears to be a real possibility.

It's a scary prospect and just one protester, partygoer, absconder or rule-breaker could set off a massive chain of events that could be detrimental to our freedom.