Auckland continues to be in lockdown level-3, step 2 as we reach nearly 3 months of being in lockdown in the super city. Government is opening up slowly, relaxing lockdown conditions but still not allowing opening of eating joints, religious places or friends visiting over.

Government is still sceptical about dissolving MIQs for fully vaccinated people or opening the borders for fully vaccinated international travellers. This lame duck approach of New Zealand government is frustrating many people especially those in political arena and in businesses. While government is still taking a cautious approach about abandoning MIQs for incoming travellers and is aiming first quarter of 2022 about freeing the MIQs. Most opposition parties in New Zealand are in unison, asking government to abandon the MIQ now and also open borders for fully vaccinated people as already done by our neighbouring nation Australia. Government’s dilemma is also understandable since currently everyday case numbers are the highest ever since the pandemic struck in New Zealand, but people can’t be put behind closed doors for long. This can be both physically and mentally very challenging and stressful for most people. Confining a normal person in a home detention like situations has its own repercussions. Many people, especially younger generation will be severely impacted physically and mentally by these prolonged lockdowns since there is no physical contact with peer groups or personal interaction with friends. Schools also have been in lockdowns for long periods impacting studies and learning skills of students. Virtual classes can never be a replacement for classrooms, these sudden and forced changes will have long term consequences on the minds of young people.

The economic impacts of these lockdowns should be felt soon as governments efforts to run the country by imposing lockdown is costing the nation very dearly, to the tune of 1.5 billion every week. One can understand the anxiety of the opposition parties as they understand that government’s economic management has been pretty reckless. The kind of money this government is throwing in subsidies and benefit supports even when the revenue generation is not even half to its capacity, is bound to take the nation to a gloomy financial crisis in coming days. The spending certainly has not been done wisely during the entire Covid period of 18-19 months. The health infrastructure of the country is still very inadequate and in fragile condition. No serious efforts have been made by the government during this period of pandemic to improve the situation in hospitals or to enhance the facilities. The money is instead being dumped in unproductive areas of ever-increasing hardship assistance or special need grants. It appears if this government does not want a certain section of our community to go for work. This is suicidal for our country’s economy and very depressing for the hard-working lot of people whose hard-earned tax money is going to drains.

Major political parties are not in favour of lockdowns or MIQ facilities and are calling it a joke. Every sensible person with a mind wants government to accelerate the vaccination as fast as possible and bring the country out of captive. The whole country shouldn’t be put to a hold because of some stubborn and lazy people. The anti-vaxxers are nothing but a bunch of reckless and irresponsible people. Unless government comes hard on these people, this situation will not change any sooner. The good news in the otherwise gloomy scenario is that Auckland is now slowly reaching to 90% of eligible full vaccination level. When we reach this mark, it should open doors for one of worst effected sectors of eateries, hospitality and service industries back in business. We should pray and hope that good sense comes sooner to those who are obstructing to let this happen. -Yugal Parashar