April 23, 2020
Pressure on to phase out checkpoints
Police say they will work with iwi, councils and the local Civil Defence managers to assess whether community checkpoints are needed or if there can be other ways to keep communities safe from the spread of COVID-19.
National Party MPs have been putting pressure on the Government over the checkpoints which have been operating in Te Tai Tokerau, Te Tairāwhiti and Te Whānau ā Apanui.
Police Minister Stuart Nash now says they are illegal without police involvement.
Police say they along with other government agencies remain responsible for ensuring people comply with the restrictions under the different COVID-19 Alert Levels.
If COVID-19 checkpoints are deemed necessary for the overall safety and wellbeing of a community, they will be operated by district police alongside community members.
People can’t be stopped from moving through for legitimate purposes.
Police do not envisage a need for COVID-19 checkpoints to operate at Alert Level 2.
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