Defer travel to quake-hit Christchurch – Civil Defence
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Christchurch is in recovery mode as the New Zealand South Island city works to assess damage from a major earthquake that slammed into it early on Saturday morning, knocking down buildings and causing widespread damage.
Civil Defence authorities in New Zealand have advised people who are planning to visit Christchurch in the coming week “to put off their travel plans unless it is essential they visit the area”.
In coming days, Australian travel agents are likely to face Christchurch-bound clients needing to know whether their travel insurance covers cancellations for such events. In some cases it does. One popular policy promises to refund to clients “the value of the unused arrangements, less any refunds due to you if you have to cancel any prepaid transport or accommodation arrangements, due to any unforeseen or unforeseeable circumstances outside of your control”.
In such circumstances, the Suresave insurance policy will pay “the travel agent’s cancellation fees up to 10% of the amount paid to the travel agent or $1500 Single Plan or $3000 Family Plan, whichever is the lesser; when all monies have been paid or the maximum amount of the deposit has been paid at the time of cancellation.”
A New Zealand Civil Defence media statement carried on the Environment Canterbury Regional Council website said: “There is a significant amount of infrastructure damage in and around Christchurch caused by the earthquake which struck early in the morning of Saturday 4 September. The central city area is particularly hard hit and has been cordoned off from public access. Public buildings in the affected parts of Canterbury are also closed for access until 9am on Wednesday morning unless they have been declared safe by an engineer. All schools in Christchurch, Selwyn district and Kaiapoi have also been closed for two days under the Civil Defence Act 2002.
“Bus services are not operating on Monday September 6 as a result of the significant amount of damage to roads and the central city. A decision on whether buses will operate on Tuesday will be made on Monday following a further assessment of the infrastructure damage.”
The quake struck at 4.35am Saturday, the nocturnal timing saving potentially hundreds of lives. Most people were asleep rather than walking the city streets, where they could have been hit by falling masonry and shattering glass.
Some flights were cancelled but Christchurch Airport is now functioning normally. Australian tourists spoke of buildings swaying precariously. The Holiday Inn in Christchurch sustained damage to hotel corridors and wall cracking, according to reports. The historic hotel at Temuka in South Canterbury was damaged. Proprietor Maz Opele was quoted as saying a large hole had opened up in the masonry wall at the front of the hotel, plus a large crack in the rear wall and the front balcony was being demolished because of the damage.
Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism said yesterday that a state of local emergency remained in place for Christchurch City, Selwyn District and Waimakariri District to enable emergency services to inspect and clear buildings.
“Civil Defence says an extensive number of aftershocks of between Magnitude 3.2 and 5.4 have occurred since the Magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Christchurch at 0435 hours, 4 September 2010. The likelihood of aftershocks of up to around Magnitude 6 will remain for the next week,” an issued statement said.
“The central business district has been closed to ensure people’s safety and that will remain for possibly several days while safety checks continue.
“Christchurch airport opened at 1330 hours Saturday and is fully operational including for night flights.
“Civil Defence says there has been damage to commercial properties including some hotels. Triaging of damaged buildings in the city is being conducted.
“Christchurch City Council and other authorities have activated the Building Safety Evaluation process. Several roads have been closed so buildings can be assessed. Aftershocks present a real threat to already weakened structures.
“Visitors who have any concerns about accommodation should check with their travel agent or directly with their accommodation providers.
“Though power has now been returned to most of the city, there has been some damage to water and sewage pipes and it may take some days for services to be fully restored.
“Mt Hutt ski field is operating as normal.”
Written by Peter Needham
so is KAIKOURA operating fully, so why not let them come?