WednesdaySun The
Blenheim Marlborough
March 25, 2020
Sun Weather
Today 7-22
Thursday 4-23
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for Today Saturday 3-19 Outlook Fine, with high cloud.
Friday 3-19
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Alert 4 Stay home, reduce contact for four weeks
LO CK DO WN
By Celeste Alexander
At 1.40am on Monday the nation braced itself for the announcement from Government that New Zealand has moved up to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, then to Level 4 on Wednesday. Here in Marlborough non-essential businesses have closed, schools closed, all events and gatherings cancelled, and people asked to stay home in isolation. This includes the Sun Newspaper which closed its office yesterday. Publishers Les and Katrina Whiteside say these are challenging times for everyone but a step that is needed for our region and NZ as a whole. “The Blenheim Sun will cease printed publication as of now until further notice. “STAY SAFE and look after each other and our community. Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder.” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement as NZ escalates its response to stop the virus in its tracks. “Due to the early and strong steps • Commercial & Residential we’ve taken, New Zealand is fortunate
• Casual or permanent • Regular service available • Your satisfaction is our aim!
Proud to be part of Marlborough for over 37 years
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not to be as hard-hit by the virus as other countries but the trajectory is clear. We are under attack like the rest of the world and must unite to stop the worst from happening here,” she says. “If community transmission takes off in New Zealand the number of cases will double every five days. If that happens unchecked, our health system will be inundated, and thousands of New Zealanders will die. “Together we can stop that from happening and our plan is simple. We can stop the spread by staying home and reducing contact. “Moving to Level 3, then 4, will place the most significant restrictions on our people in modern history but they are a necessary sacrifice to save lives. “At Level 3, we are asking non-essential businesses to close. This includes bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries and other places where people gather together. “Essential services will remain open, such as supermarkets, banks, GPs, pharmacies, service stations, couriers and other important frontline service providers. Our smallest skip trucks are ideal Continued on page 2.
for your tight access spots and not too heavy for your driveway!