UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlines a new lockdown for England as a new variant of Covid-19 sparks a surge of cases. Video / AP
A Hawke's Bay lawyer working to help the UK's Covid-19 test and trace efforts says the rapid spread of a new strain of the virus has her missing home more than ever.
Aimee Cowan will be celebrating one year of life in Edinburgh in yet another Covid-19 lockdown after UKPrime Minister Boris Johnson announced strict new restrictions on Tuesday morning (NZ time).
The Scottish public were also earlier ordered to stay home by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Aimee Cowan from Hawke's Bay has spent almost a year living in Edinburgh through the pandemic and has been hiking around the summits on the city's outskirts. Photo / Supplied
Cowan, who works as a risk advisory manager for financial consultancy firm Deloitte, spends her days advising the NHS' test and trace programme.
The former Iona College student said it's increasingly difficult seeing family and friends having a "normal" summer in New Zealand, while she is plunged back into lockdown.
"I'm coming up to the one-year mark of being in Edinburgh and I'll be celebrating that from home in lockdown – joy," she said.
"I don't really know Edinburgh outside of some form of Covid restrictions."
The new UK-wide restrictions, which are due to last until mid-February, require people to stay and work from home, with schools and colleges closed.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced another nationwide lockdown amid surging cases and patient numbers due to the new strain of Covid-19. Photo / File
Cowan, who has been working from home since March 2020, said while she had been engulfed by her work, she had still seen the harsh realities of the pandemic.
"I've even had a couple of months working in various Covid testing laboratories," she said.
"We hear the news of the vaccines being approved, but then lost our Christmas and New Year plans and are now in strict lockdown again."
Two of her four flatmates have lost their jobs during the pandemic, one is receiving money through the government's furlough scheme and one has had to pick up extra part-time work.
But, Cowan said she has been trying to enjoy the small things, like the current snow in Scotland's capital.
The trained lawyer said she is also still optimistic of travelling during the European summer of 2021.
"I just hope the vaccine has kicked in by then," she said.
Of the 19 Covid cases in managed isolation reported in New Zealand on January 3, six were cases of the rapidly-spreading UK virus strain.
While the strain has entered New Zealand, Napier Port's concerns over the virus re-entering Hawke's Bay remains low.
In November, the port implemented additional protocols, including an onboard 14-day self-isolation, which still stands.
"At this stage, no further concerns have been raised with us and we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health and other local authorities, such as Customs, to protect our maritime border," a Napier Port spokeswoman said.
The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is still urging people in the region to keep in line with New Zealand's Covid-19 level 1 guidelines.
A HBDHB spokeswoman said those heading to any events over the summer must follow the "golden rules" to help make summer "unstoppable".
The golden rules are:
• If you are unwell, stay at home, and do not travel or take part in events or activities.
• Testing services are available throughout the holiday period.
• If you are advised to get a test, do not wait until you get home from holiday.
• Remember to scan or sign into places using the NZ Covid Tracer app.
