Covid-19: Christchurch's new drive-in vaccination centre opens
Christchurch has debuted its first drive-in Covid-19 vaccination clinic – but only pre-booked essential workers and their families can go.
New Zealand’s vaccination roll-out was temporarily halted after the delta strain of the virus was detected in Auckland early this week , and the country entered an alert level 4 lockdown. It has since resumed.
On Sunday, the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) opened a drive-through vaccination clinic in the Christchurch Arena car park.
About 120 essential workers were invited to get their jabs at the centre on Sunday.
CDHB Covid-19 vaccination events lead Satish Mistry said all drive-through vaccinations were strictly by appointment only, so the team could focus on getting essential workers vaccinated.
Read more here.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.1% Yes, it's fair
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10.2% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
Cyclists forced to use ‘more dangerous’ crossing if cycleway closed
Closing a Christchurch cycleway to avoid an unsafe rail crossing will lead cyclists across an even “more dangerous” crossing, cycling advocates say.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has weighed in on the issue, calling the move to shut a 1.5km section of the Heathcote Expressway for up to two years, “illogical”. He has asked KiwiRail to explain.
KiwiRail is demanding Christchurch City Council close part of the expressway until $6.5 million worth of safety improvements can be made to the Scruttons Rd rail crossing.
It said the “unsafe” crossing posed the risk of death or serious injury once every thousand years.
What do you do think? Read the full story by reporters Sinead Gill and Tina Law here and tell us what you think in the comments. (A subscription is required, but you can see two free articles a month).
House fire causing road closures
Pages Road is closed this afternoon from Breezes Road, this is due to a house that has caught fire in the area.
Coastal Ward Community Board member, Alex Hewison, shared the closure on a local Facebook page.
Fire and Emergency are at the scene but further details have not been shared at this stage.
Avoid the area where possible.