The CBD – Central Business District – between the four avenues has been closed since February 22nd. At the moment there is a cordon around the CBD with soldiers or police on every intersection to stop anyone going in. Very few people still live in the CBD – most have moved out. However, there are some hotels and motels still operating and it is difficult for people staying there to get back in again if they go out.
Today Civil Defence chief said that they will move the cordon on Sunday to make the closed area much smaller. Only the central part of the city will stay closed because of the danger from damaged buildings. They call this the red zone. Most of the shops are in this zone. There are four green zones inside the CBD and two of these will open on Sunday afternoon. People who have businesses in this zone can go to their business from 8am Sunday to check the building and make sure it is locked.
Many people still have their cars in the CBD. Most people walked home after the earthquake 10 days ago. If cars are in those two green zones, owners will be able to drive them home.
The other green zones will probably open soon. The red zone, however, may remain closed for six months. Shops owners and other business owners in the CBD will have to decide whether to move to another part of Christchurch or to another city or to close forever. They will probably not be allowed to get equipment from their business because of the danger.
Vocabulary note:
A cordon is a circle of police, soldiers or guards to stop people from entering an area. It is often used in the adjective form: a cordoned-off area.
A zone is an area.
Grammar question:
What is the difference between “very few people” and “a few people”? Which one means “almost none”? Which one means “some, not many”?