May marked the move to level 2, as well as the introduction of the Covid tracer app. Photo / Bevan Conley
May marked the move to level 2, as well as the introduction of the Covid tracer app. Photo / Bevan Conley
May 6
Construction on the multimillion-dollar extension to the Sarjeant Gallery officially began on May 6, with Covid-19 alert level 3 allowing building sites to officially reopen.
Shane Jones, the then Minister for Regional Economic Development, confirmed the construction had started, and said a mauri stone was laid by localiwi to represent the "life force of the building and the important role it will have in our future".
The Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment officially got under way in May. Photo / Bevan Conley
The project, funded by a $12 million grant from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund, was expected to have around 800 people working on its development over the construction period. Later in July, another $12 million PGF grant was given to the project as a result of rising costs.
After 50 days of lockdown restrictions, the front page of the Chronicle on May 14 was emblazoned with "A New Beginning" as New Zealand finally reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown.
Across Whanganui, it was haircuts and catch-ups all round as businesses began to open their doors for the first time in nearly two months. Restaurants finally welcomed people inside their doors instead of serving people at them, and Victoria Ave saw the return of shop owners flipping their closed signs to open with more excitement than ever before.
As soon as the country hit level 2, haircuts were the most sought after service in the city. Photo / Bevan Conley
People lined up at gyms and at malls, and for the first time schools were reopened to everyone, with children showing no resistance to getting up early and getting themselves back into a routine.
Rest homes were opened, reuniting those most vulnerable to the virus with their loved ones.
Boats were allowed back on the water and offices were reopened, with many staff returning to their desks to find half-drunk cups of coffee abandoned on that fateful day in March.
For almost everyone, life had finally returned to some degree of normality, and Whanganui was ready for the recovery.
May 25
One of the largest quakes to hit Whanganui in some time struck on the morning of May 25, with thousands across Whanganui and the lower North Island reporting feeling the quake.
Civil Defence said there was no obvious damage. Photo / File
The magnitude 5.8 quake struck around 30 kilometres northwest of Levin at 7.53am on the Monday morning, arriving with a "loud rumble" in Whanganui. The quake, which was recorded as being 37 kilometres deep, was reportedly felt as far North as Gisborne and as far South as the bottom of the North Island.
According to Civil Defence, there was no obvious damage reported in the city, but it said the quake served as a reminder to stay prepared.
