Fo Guang Shan South Island Reopens to Public Under Delta Alert Level 2
New Zealand has been under a nationwide lockdown since 17th August due to the Delta strain of Covid-19. Other than the largest city of Auckland, where Covid Alert Level 4 is still in effect, no community infections have been detected in other regions, and so the rest of the country was lowered to Covid Alert Level 2 on 8th September. The Fo Guang Shan South Island temple in Christchurch has reopened to the public on 14th September, with about 80 people returned to pay a visit.
There were many familiar faces, most of whom came to the Water Drop Teahouse for a meal, some to visit the Embroidery Exhibition and some to worship at the main shrine. They were happy to be back at the temple and missed the delicious vegetarian food at the Teahouse, as well as the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere of the temple. One of the regulars said that he had been waiting for a month for the re-opening of the Teahouse and was happy to have his favorite Laksa today. Visitors followed the Covid Alert Level 2 rules seriously by recording their visit on the Covid Tracer App, wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, and maintaining physical distancing.
Unlike the post-lockdown reopening last year, wearing a mask has become the new norm for New Zealanders under ‘Delta Alert Level 2’. Most indoor public facilities and public-facing businesses are required to have their staff members wear masks. Masks are not mandatory in schools, but are strongly recommended. All establishments that require close human contact, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, churches, hairdressers, etc., must require people to scan in or record their visit. In terms of crowds, there is a limit of 50 people in indoor spaces and a maximum of 100 people in outdoor spaces, with a physical distance of 2 meters between people that needs to be maintained.