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Those over 70 and those with compromised immunity asked to stay home as NZ sits at coronavirus alert level two

March 21, 2020

It comes as an alert system for Covid-19 response has been put in place for all of New Zealand.

The Director-General of Health is urging those who are unsure to check with their health provider following the Government’s latest announcement that those over 70 and the immunocompromised should be self-isolating.

With the rapidly evolving coronavirus situation, the Prime Minister has today implemented new measures in order to combat the spread of coronavirus in New Zealand.

It comes as the number of cases of coronavirus in New Zealand have risen by 1 3, bringing the total to 52, the Ministry of Health's Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced this morning.

Following on from this, Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will implement an alert system in order to help fight the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The alert system has four levels of escalation whereby new measures and restrictions will be put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19. New Zealand currently sits at level two.

Prime Minister Ardern also urged that those over the age of 70 with compromised immunity should stay home as much as possible.

While many measures for level two are already in place, the Prime Minister today announced new measures, including the need for older people and the immunocompromised to stay home.

“Today we are asking people over 70 years of age or people who have immunocompromised systems or have underling respiratory conditions to stay at home as much as they can.

“That means we need friends, family and neighbours to support our older New Zealanders and people who may be in this group, by doing simple things like keeping in contact and dropping off food and other supplies,” Jacinda Ardern said.

She urged caution that those who do help are not unwell and are using “good handwashing practices and you are keeping your distance.”


Jacinda Ardern said the “one simple goal” is to slow down the spread of Covid-19.

The Prime Minister addressed the nation live from the capital today.

“Slowing it down means not having one big tidal wave of cases, but instead smaller waves.

“We are asking people to take responsibly for their decisions here. The more contact you have with others the more people you put at risk," Ms Ardern said.

“There is going to be some medical judgement involved.

“Some for instance who are severe asthmatics this will apply to but otherwise, someone who has much milder respiratory issues, then we would be asking they consult with their health professional to ascertain the best plan for them,” she said.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield said today there is an obligation on everybody around people who are older or who have pre-existing health conditions.

“Because you may not know the person who you are with. If you go out and are unwell, you could be putting someone at risk,” he said.

“Someone who might be receiving treatment for cancer and is immunocompromised, someone who might have an underlying heart condition or diabetes,” he said.

The PM has directed New Zealanders to visit the Government's official  Covid-19 website in the first instance.

The Prime Minister spoke after another dramatic day in the global Covid-19 pandemic.

It was previously reported 14 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 53. The Ministry of Health has since issued a correction.

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