iamaelephant:

 

frednz:

 

There seems to be some confusion about when and where you are able to drive your car. For example, can you drive to the nearest beach assuming it's only about 10km away? 

 

Or can you drive from home to the nearest aquifer to fill up your water bottles, assuming this is about 5km from home?

 

Sure, you can drive to the supermarket or dairy or pharmacy, but does it have to be to the nearest ones to where you live?

 

Here's Police Commissioner Mike Bush talking about these issues, he seems to think you can't drive to the beach or park for some fresh air:

 

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/christchurch/canterbury-mornings-with-chris-lynch/audio/mike-bush-warns-people-against-leaving-their-houses-during-lockdown/

 

From the above:

 

Don't even think about driving to the beach or a park for some fresh air once the lockdown starts. That's the message from police commissioner Mike Bush, who told NewstalkZB host Chris Lynch that people should only go out in their cars to get essential supplies.

 

"What happens if somebody wants to go for a drive, say to a local beach or get out and about to a local park?" Lynch asked. "Are they in a position to drive there?"

 

"There's a short answer to that - no they're not," replied Bush. "You only go out in your vehicle if you need to go and get essential food supplies, essential medical supplies or medical treatment. Otherwise, please stay at home."

 

And this one, also on Newstalk ZB:

 

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/mike-bush-police-finding-people-on-street-who-arent-aware-of-lockdown/

 

When asked how police would enforce the rules and make sure those out and about were out for a good reason, he said police officers may follow you.

 

"If they've got a good reason - if they're an essential worker or if they're going to the supermarket or if they're going to get food or health supplies - that's fine.

 

"If not, stay at home. That's how you're going to save lives."

 

'WE MAY HAVE A DRIVE...TO SEE WHERE YOU'RE GOING'

 

He said officers would have a fair idea of whether or not someone was going to the supermarket.

 

"We may even have a little drive with you to see where you're going."

 

 

 

 

Stay at home. What are you not getting?

 

Don't worry I fully understand that message, but what I don't get at home is a walk in fresh air, after all, I'm not in prison! The confusion arises because I'm sure the PM said it was OK to drive short distances to a suitable place to go for a walk and exercise the kids and dogs etc. But the Police seem to disagree with this.

If I live next door to a park, it's OK to walk from home to the park and exercise there, provided I don't touch any playground equipment. If this is not OK, then all parks should be officially closed, which hasn't happened. 

So, if it's OK to walk say 1km to a park, what's the problem with driving say 8km to this same park if you live that bit further away? You are either able to leave home for a walk in a nearby park or not, I can't see why you can only walk to it and not drive to it. Perhaps someone can explain the Police's reasoning behind this?