Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the extension of restrictions to cover North Italy and Korea was a balanced and precautionary approach.
Ardern told reporters Cabinet had also signed off on a $4 million funding boost for a programme assisting business hurting because of the virus.
Jacinda Ardern says the Ministry of Social Development is also setting up rapid response teams to proactively work with struggling businesses.
The Ministry for Social Development has this evening confirmed it has so far approved 29 hardship grants across the country, totalling $4,400.
