Editorial: Northland border changes bring uncertainty

The border between Auckland and Northland will lift on December 15 and with that comes uncertainty. Photo / Michael Cunningham

There is a lot of talk at the moment about our low vaccination rates. And yes, they are low - well off the 90 per cent target.
Currently, we are 72 per cent for first doses, with 11,369 to go for us to reach that magical 90 per cent mark.
It was clear during the announcement by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday of the new traffic light system that we would more than likely be in red, along with other low-vaxxed areas, when it kicks in.
Here in Tai Tokerau, we have had 54 cases of Covid-19 since the Delta outbreak began back in August.

While other regions have expressed huge concern about a wastewater result, or a single case - and I'm not criticising, as it is hugely stressful - we have quietly been getting on with living with Covid in our community and appear to be managing it.

People, for the most part, are doing the right thing and isolating at home when they are diagnosed, which is great.

Now, as we move into this new Covid framework, there will be lots of questions and uncertainty about how it all might work.

We will have been cut off from Auckland for four months and there is understandably a mixture of relief and worry about the border reopening.

This was reflected by the community leaders we spoke to this week. While they were pleased to have clarity, their feelings were tempered with concern.

It will expose our already vulnerable communities to a Covid risk that, more than likely, won't be without consequence. Businesses will have to tackle the tricky vaccinated - non-vaccinated issue, while the red light level will be more restrictive in some ways than the current alert level 2.

People are also understandably worried about what it will mean when the border lifts and the usual Auckland and beyond holidaymakers come into the region.

Because of our proximity to our largest city we have been quite isolated and in some ways protected. The prospect of suddenly being exposed does leave us feeling vulnerable.

The country's elimination strategy meant we have had a lot of change very quickly, in just over three months. So the uncertainty is understandable, and until that border actually opens we have no way of knowing what will happen. We can only speculate and worry.

One thing we do know for certain is that Covid is here to stay - and from December 15 it will be more prevalent than ever in our region.

One of the best things we can do to protect ourselves and those around us to to get vaccinated. So if you haven't, for whatever reason, please do it as that is really the only way we are going to ensure our most vulnerable are protected.