Being in the southern hemisphere, our Christmas is dramatically warmer that that most of you will experience up north. One of the results of this that the traditional Santa costume: thick beard, coat, boots, gloves and all, is a tad warm for the old fellow. Consequently, when he was visiting the local mall to gladden the hearts of one and all, he was given a couple of fans to make his stay more comfortable.
Like everyone in NZ, it should be noted that Santa does not require a mask unless he rides on Auckland City's transit sytem.
Another kind of Sweating It Out. Just above Auckland's downtown core, overlooking the main transit interchange is a hotel used for Managed Isolation of travellers entering NZ. Everyone who comes from overseas must spend two weeks in such facilities while their health is monitored frequently for COVID-19. If they show signs they are taken to Quaranteen facility until they recover.
It must be quite frustrating to be confined to one's room for two weeks, only being let out each day for half an hour or so to do exercise on the rooftop, and yet able to watch NZ go about its dailiy life in a completely normal fashion just below them.
Still, the rewards for such measures are seen in our low COVID numbers and the relatively mild impact is is having on our economy.
