Kruse had previously disobeyed the raft-up rule a year ago when another boat wished to raft up on New Year s Eve 2019. He apologised then and agreed to abide by the rule, but said he was very concerned about the new wave of Covid-19. Covid-19 is decimating the world right now. Health expectations, especially for those in my age demographic, societal norms and economies around the world are being forced to recognise a new operating paradigm, Kruse said. Newly discovered, more transmissible Covid-19 strains from the United Kingdom and South Africa had arrived at the New Zealand border, but had not entered the country.