Increased reports of social gatherings and non-essential travel during Alert Level 4 is raising concerns with Police and Civil Defence throughout the Waikato.
Western Waikato Emergency Operations Centre Duty Controller Dave Simes says with talk about what moving to Alert Level 3 might look like for New Zealand, it appears people are relaxing a little too much on the rules.
"It is imperative now more than ever that we have continued compliance, not complacency," says Dave.
"At 4pm today we will know whether we remain at Alert Level 4 or drop to Alert Level 3. The announcement of what will happen if New Zealand moves to Level 3 shouldn't change how we currently behave. We are still on Alert Level 4."
Dave says life won't be much different during Alert Level 3 and that people shouldn't expect to throw a party or return to what life used to be like before the onset on Covid-19.