On Sunday the 24th of January, a new Covid case in the community was announced. This case located in Northland is close to home, with the woman infected visiting stores in Mangawhai, Ruakaka, Helensville and Whangarei. 

In light of this, it is important to remember that just because New Zealand's management of Covid 19 has meant life is pretty close to normal for us, we cannot get complacent. Covid-19 is still very much an issue. 

This coming weekend is Auckland Anniversary weekend, and with plenty of events over the three-day holiday, there are likely to be a lot of visitors heading to the Matakana Coast to enjoy the time off. 

Use the NZ COVID Tracer app if you can. The app keeps New Zealand one step ahead of the virus: the more we scan the safer we’ll be.

Turn on bluetooth tracing in your app, it keeps track of who you’ve been near, while maintaining everyone’s privacy. Combined with QR codes, they are important for contact tracing. 

If you are unable to access the app, sign in manually with a pen and paper at any businesses that you visit. 

The new highly transmissible Covid-19 strains have sent other countries into second and third lockdowns. Contact tracing allows the Ministry of Health to quickly identify anyone who may have come into contact with the virus and break the chain of transmission before it gets out of control. All Kiwis need to remember the importance of scanning.