Auckland returns to Covid-19 Alert Level 3 lockdown - what you need to know

August 11, 2020

The rest of the country moves to Alert Level 2.

Jacinda Ardern has announced Auckland will be returning to Alert Level 3 lockdown.

It will come into effect at 12 noon tomorrow and last for at least three days.

The rest of the country will go to Alert Level 2 for the same period of time. Mass testing will begin. 

Anyone currently in Auckland who does no not live in Auckland is advised to go home and follow the Alert Level 2 guidance.

Everyone is advised to also keep their bubble small.

Under Level 3, businesses are able to open, but should not physically interact with customers.

Essential services, including healthcare, justice services and businesses providing necessities are able to open. Bars and restaurants should close but takeaways are allowed.

Schools in Auckland should close, except for children of essential workers. Students are encouraged to learn from home if possible.

The four cases are the first community transmission here in 102 days.

Poeple should maintain physical distancing of two metres outside of home, including on public transport. It is also highly recommended that you wear a mask if you are out and about.

Public transport can continue to operate with strict health and safety requirements, including physical distancing and wearing a mask.

Public venues should close, including libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds and markets.

Gatherings of up to 10 people can continue, but only for wedding services, funerals and tangihanga. Physical distancing and public health measures should be maintained.

Inter-regional travel is highly limited to, for example, essential workers, with limited exemptions for others.

People at high risk of severe illness such as older people and those with existing medical conditions are encouraged to stay at home where possible, and take additional precautions when leaving home.

The news comes as four community transmission cases of Covid-19 were today discovered in South Auckland.

The source was unknown. Children are involved, one being a pre schooler that did not attend an educational facility. 

They are from South Auckland and the workplaces are beyond South Auckland.

The first case had a fever and cough - "obvious symptoms", Dr Bloomfield said. He said there was a four to five day period from symptom onset to the test. 

The rest of the country will be moved to Alert Level 2 for the same three day period from noon tomorrow until midnight on Friday.

"We are asking only those who are returning home to enter into Auckland," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.  

"We know what to do," Director of Health Ashley Bloomfield said.

"We know what to do because we’ve done it before."

Ms Ardern urged the public to use the Covid-19 app - calling it "vital". 

Here are guidlines the Government put in place the last time New Zealand was in Alert Level 3:

We still need to stay inside our households as much as possible, but we can open our bubble to one or two people.

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