Auckland in lockdown after first locally transmitted Covid-19 case in over 100 days

"Act as if you have Covid, and as though people around you have Covid."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will be returning to Alert Level 3 lockdown following the confirmation of four cases of Covid-19 in the area. The lockdown will come into effect at noon on Wednesday and will last for at least three days. The rest of the country will also go to Alert Level 2 for the same period of time. The four cases of community transmission were reported in south Auckland and were the first locally transmitted cases in the country in 102 days. All four cases of community transmission were in the same family but from an unknown source. "At this stage, we have not yet been able to determine the source of these cases," Ardern said.

She added: "We're asking people in Auckland to stay home to stop the spread.

"Act as if you have Covid, and as though people around you have Covid."

For people living in Auckland, it means working from home unless you are an essential worker, while public facilities as well as bars and restaurants will close from tomorrow. All schools and childcare facilities will also close, except for children of essential workers. Travel to and from Auckland is forbidden unless you actually live there and gatherings of over 10 people are also banned. Face masks are also requested to be worn by the public. Elsewhere in New Zealand under Alert Level 2, social distancing of two metres applies and face masks are asked to be worn in places where social distancing is difficult, such as on public transport. Gatherings are limited to under 100 people and businesses must follow physical distancing and record keeping guidelines. There are currently 22 known active cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, which are being managed at isolation and quarantine facilities.