Well what a week, plunged back into level 4 lockdown. I think deep down many of us saw this as a real possibility, but the speed took many by surprise.

Along with that came the personal responsibilities of QR scanning, limiting travel, wearing of face masks in approved level 4 stores and staying home. To our community I would like to say well done but to some, well as my old school report use to say, 'could do better if tried harder'.

For many out and about it seemed to be taken as a long weekend break with little out of the norm. We know exercise is a good relief but remember guidelines are to stay local.

Go to your nearest place to exercise not just the one you like best, please don’t drive miles just to get to your favourite spot. Also remember places like Roy’s Peak, Diamond Lake, Isthmus Peak even Mount Iron all pose greater risk of injury and requiring assistance should you have an accident. Remember if it appears risky it probably is, and you may need extra help and at this time the emergency services don’t need increased workload.

Related: Enjoy being outdoors locally, responsibly

I know everyone feels that whatever activity they take part in is safe but remember the world and history are littered with those who said, “it won’t happen to me”. One final thing, please, where possible, restrict travel to one person from each household and only when essential. Checking vacant properties, taking photos, giving driving lessons, and test-driving vehicles are not essential, so please think before you venture out and ask 'do I really need to do this right now?'

With the police focus this past week on the Covid lockdown it doesn’t mean we haven’t had other incidents to take care of.

Although the nationwide operation deterrence has been put on hold, we haven’t taken our eye off road policing.

During the week several speed notices were issued around the area for high speeds with one being 152 kph out towards Lake Hāwea. This person receiving not only a licence suspension for 28 days but a date in the court in Queenstown to boot. Another stop brought in a person with a breath alcohol level of 1033 this being 4 times over the legal limit for a person over 20. Please remember just because we find ourselves in strange times, stick to the road rules as they do still apply.

With a couple of family harm episodes this week please remember stress is a real thing in this covid environment and please reach out for help if you need it, there are agencies available to assist, it just needs you to reach out to them.

An incident of windows being broken at the college is being investigated with strong lines of enquiry and a couple of suspects to be spoken to after lockdown is over.

We still have various items of lost property at the station, but at this time we are encouraging people to only come to the station if urgent and necessary as we are working on limited hours at our front counter due to the restrictions.

We are still here for you and remember you can use 105 for non-urgent calls and 111 if you have an emergency.

One final thing, we have received several requests for letters allowing people caught here due to lockdown to travel out of the district. Police do not have any authority to sign any forms allowing inter-district travel. So please stay put. If you do decide to travel you may well be turned back.

Stay in your bubbles, stay safe, go out only for essentials and let's all be kind to each other during this trying period.

Until next time.