In breaking news, a member of the South of Port Waikato community says people have been breaching the Auckland border and wants Covid-19 police checkpoints to be set up at Port Waikato and at Onewhero village.
The Onewhero village resident told News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston that traffic using local roads to travel in and out of Auckland has quadrupled since New Zealand went to Alert Level 3 on August 31 and believes the traffic is non-local people breaching border restrictions. The community feels that not enough is being done to prevent people travelling out of Auckland and potentially spreading Covid-19 to the wider New Zealand population.
The resident speaks to Jemima about what they have seen in terms of non-local traffic driving in and out of Auckland within their area and they discuss what response the community has had from officials about this problem.
Jemima also reached out to a Police representative about the resident's concern and recieved this comment, "Police have patrols working on a 24/7 basis in the area covered by unsealed roads on the southern border. Staff patrolling are stopping all vehicles they encounter to ensure any travel is permitted. Anyone found in these areas attempting to cross the boundary can expect to face enforcement action as a result."
Jemima has also contacted Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins for comment and is awaiting a response.
NB: The resident interviewed for this piece wants to remain anonymous. Jemima has transcribed their interview and had Friday Wire Producer Ilena Shadbolt voice their words to maintain their privacy.
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