Auckland to move to level 2, rest of NZ level 1

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Image: RNZ.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that Auckland will move to level 2 and the rest of the country level 1 from midnight tonight.

Ardern and Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield delivered the update at a post-Cabinet media conference at 4.30 pm today.

The update follows the news of two new cases of Covid in the community today, and one further case in managed isolation.

A further case related to the household announced earlier today has also tested positive today, taking the current total of community cases announced today to three.

The restrictions will remain in place until Monday, February 22, when they will be reviewed by Cabinet.

Ardern says today's update is 'good news" and is urging Kiwis to get a test and stay at home if they are sick.

'The biggest urge I have is to tell everyone in Auckland and across the country if you are sick get a test and stay home.”

Papatoetoe High School students, staff and their families are being asked to stay home and they will need to return a negative test before returning to school next week.

Today's cases are linked to the previous Auckland February cases.

Both cases are students at Papatoetoe High School. Case D is a classmate and had already been identified as a close contact of case A. Case E is Case D's sibling, says a statement from the Ministry of Health. Cases D and E were not infectious when they attended school, according to Dr Bloomfield.

Auckland entered alert level 3 at midnight on Monday morning with the rest of the country going to level 2 after three community cases in South Auckland were discovered over the weekend.

The locations of interest for the community cases can be found on the Ministry of Health website.

EARLIER: The Government will announce if there will be extensions to the current Covid-19 alert levels.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will provide the update at 4.30pm at the post-Cabinet media conference.

Two new cases of Covid have been identified in the community, they are linked to the previous Auckland February cases.

Both cases are students at Papatoetoe High School. Case D is a classmate, and had already been identified as a close contact, of Case A. Case E is Case D's sibling, says a statement from the Ministry of Health.

"Case interviews are continuing and we will have further information, including any locations of interest, at a media conference at 4.30pm," says the ministry.

There is another case being reported in managed isolation.

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3 comments

Hmmm

Posted on 17-02-2021 19:01 | By Let's get real

Sign her up for the black ferns. The sidestepping is outstanding


Too Weak, Too Soon

Posted on 18-02-2021 00:03 | By Yadick

Community transmission cases are increasing and the source is still unknown so we lower the level? Go figure . . .


@ Let's get real

Posted on 18-02-2021 09:40 | By Yadick

Hahaha. Brilliant comment. Well put.


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