Auckland may be able to join the rest of the country in alert level 1 as early as next weekend, as it leaves the current lockdown at 6am Sunday morning, a week after it went into alert level 2.
There were no new cases of Covid-19 reported this afternoon.
Announcing the decision to shift Auckland to alert level 2, while the rest of the country moves to level 1 at 6am on Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said cabinet will review the situation at the end of next week, with a view to moving Auckland to level 1 at the start of next weekend.
Ardern said there is still a chance of additional cases in the community, so the requirements on people in isolation will remain, and that in level 2, people still need to practice social distancing, stay at home if they are sick and get tested if they have symptoms.
See how the rest of the day's Covid-19 news devloped with RNZ's live blog:
This is an official government Covid-19 announcement:
On 28 February, the Auckland region moved to Covid-19 Alert Level 3. The rest of New Zealand moved to Alert Level 2. This is for a period of seven days. Further community cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the Auckland Region. If you are in Auckland, stay home where possible, and follow Alert Level 3 guidelines. This will stop the transmission of Covid-19 and save lives. For more information on the alert levels go to covid19.govt.nz.
RNZ is the statutory Lifeline Utility responsible for radio broadcasting under the Emergency Management Act 2002 and it has a memorandum of understanding with Government which has been activated to help deal with potential health issues related to the pandemic. RNZ's Lifeline Utility obligations do not affect our editorial independence as a public media organisation or the rigour of our news gathering and reporting operations.
As New Zealand's Lifeline Utility radio broadcaster, RNZ is required to maintain essential public information channels and news during times of national emergency and we are committed to supporting all New Zealanders. We are also committed to looking after the health and well-being of our staff.
RNZ will continue to provide essential information services - broadcasting and publishing critical public service announcements on air, on our website and via social media channels. Comprehensive news will be available on air and via our website and digital services.
If necessary RNZ Concert and RNZ Pacific will carry news and information from RNZ National. Parliament will continue to be broadcast on the AM network when the House is sitting. As the country's public service media organisation, RNZ is committed to supporting all New Zealanders.
Kia Kaha - Stay Strong
