Covid 19 coronavirus: What a difference a day makes to Mangawhai residents stuck in alert level confusion

Carol Marianne (front) enjoys level 2 with Pilates friends Helen Bailey (left), Jane Carr, Mary Madden, Jane Bentley, Lola Jaques, and Bill Jaques. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Northlanders affected by this week's botched Covid-19 checkpoints have relished in their clarified alert level 2 status after police reinstated last year's border locations.

New checkpoints at the Brynderwyns, Maungaturoto, and north of Mangawhai created dysfunction on Monday as police turned away Mangawhai residents heading north. The residents were located on the level 3 side of the border despite Mangawhai having the same alert level as the rest of Northland.

In the first 16-hours of level 3 police turned away 715 vehicles from the three northern checkpoints. This was around 13 per cent of the 5535 vehicles processed.

At 6pm on Monday last year's checkpoints at SH1/Mangawhai Rd (Twin Coast Discovery Highway), Mangawhai Rd/north of Coal Hill Rd, Black Swamp west of Rako Rd, Mangawhai Rd and Cames Rd, Mangawhai Rd and Ryan Rd, and Te Hana were reinstated.

Vicki Parker, road policing supervisor, is at a quiet revised border checkpoint south of Mangawhai at the intersection of Tomarata Rd and Mangawhai Rd. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The move meant the cloud of confusion in Mangawhai lifted and businesses could open their doors to the influx of locals out and about yesterday enjoying level 2's eased restrictions, denied the previous day.

Anna Wilson, owner of Mangawhai cafe/restaurant Brewed As Collective, had spent a frustrating Monday morning navigating misinformation around whether her business could operate under level 2 or 3.

But Tuesday's alert level clarity bought her more joy as customers filled the cafe.

"There's certainty now," Wilson said. "That's the biggest difference."

Businesses were bustling at Mangawhai's Wood St shopping centre before midday. A stark contrast to Monday where around 90 per cent were closed as owners grappled with knowing what alert level to abide by.

Mangawhai Pilates With Mary regulars enjoyed a group coffee at Brewed As Collective after their initially cancelled class was reinstated.

Mary Madden, Mangawhai Pilates With Mary owner and instructor, was both delighted and relieved to learn her business was under level 2 restrictions.

She said the confusion earlier in the week had made her and others feel more nervous about the impact the latest community cases would have.

"The community hall where I take my classes closed so I spent Monday cancelling every class," Madden said. "Then when it was confirmed we were in level 2 I sent a text out straight away to let everyone know classes were back on."

All students were invited back to Mangawhai Beach School yesterday. The Ministry of Educated had advised principal Aaron Kemp to close school doors on Monday to everyone but children of essential workers until the alert level was clarified.

A staff member at early childhood learning centre, Miniwhais, on Robert Hastie Dr in Mangawhai, confirmed normal operation had resumed following initial police advice to open for kids of essential workers only.

Police have reminded people to carry official documentation issued by Government departments or, if required, to have applied for exemption to enter, leave, or pass through Auckland.

From midnight Sunday to 4pm on Monday, staff at the five southern checkpoints turned away 779 vehicles from the 8607 they processed - about 9 per cent of the vehicles processed.

There were no new Covid-19 cases in the community - however the Government says it will go deep into today before making a call on the status of the country's alert levels.

Health Minister Chris Hipkins - who delivered yesterday afternoon's Covid update with director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield - said it was still "too soon to speculate" about any alert level decision but any day there were no new cases "is a good day".