Few try to leave town for getaway

While many made the most of the warm weather yesterday, it seems very few tried to leave town for a weekend getaway.

Almost 400 cars were stopped by police at 10 checkpoints set up across the Southern district on Thursday, and five warnings were given for minor breaches.

A police statement said most of those on the road were essential workers or those travelling to the supermarket.

"Checkpoints will continue over the weekend, and the message is clear: stay home and save lives.

"Now is not the time for non-essential travel."

Leaving town? At a checkpoint near Pine Hill on Thursday, police stop cars to ensure their destination is an essential one. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY

In Dunedin, checkpoints were set up in Green Island, East Taieri and Pine Hill, while the Queenstown Lakes District Council advised that police would be making checks over Easter ‘‘to ensure that people are not tempted to travel to their holiday homes over the weekend".

"It’s simple — travelling to and from different towns and cities risks spreading Covid-19, and puts lives at risk.

"Travelling to the bach for a holiday is not essential travel, and it is not permitted."

Nationwide, police have recorded 583 breaches, with 74 prosecutions and 495 warnings issued since Level 4 restrictions came into force.