Swap Meet Report Sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news again, but I guess the news was not only predictable, but has now already probably got pretty well around the general membership. Unfortunately we’ve had to postpone Swap Meet 2021 again, and our new dates are now Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th February. It was not an easy decision, but once all of the information regarding Covid restrictions, vaccination rates, the new “traffic light” system, and the need for vaccination certificates was assembled and analysed, it was clear that we were highly unlikely to be free to run the event at the end of November. Underlying the decision was a reply to an email we had sent to the Covid Response email address, in which we spelled out exactly how the event would be run, and pointing out contradictions in the Level 2 rules, asking them if the event fell within the definition of being able to run with an unlimited number of people present. A reply was received two weeks later from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which told us it didn’t, and that we were unable to run the event under Level 2 restrictions. With the next Cabinet decision on a move from Level 2 and the introduction of the new traffic light system not due until 29th November, plus it being clear that the South Island was not going to reach the required double-vax rate of 90% by the end of November, there was no point perusing the 26th to 28th November dates. So, sorry everyone – just keep sorting out your items for disposal, and saving your dollars for February now. If you have put signs out around your neighbourhood we will try and have yet another overlay for the dates available for you by Noggin night. If not the November one, then definitely the December one. We’ll also keep the duties rosters going, and we may even need a few more helpers now – particularly if we’re required to check vaccination certificates at the entrances to the grounds. That will be a fun job, but then we are all double vaxed aren’t we?? Colin Hey 29
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