16 Sep 2021

Covid-19 updates for 16 September - as it happened

6:44 pm on 16 September 2021

The government wants 80 percent of Aucklanders to have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine within the week. See how the rest of the day's Covid-19 news unfolded with RNZ's live blog.

Speaking at today's media briefing, where it was revealed there were 13 new community cases, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country had hit another milestone today in its vaccination programme, with 3 million first doses now delivered nation-wide.

"Thanks to all those who have been vaccinated so far. But we have the capacity to do even more and even faster."

She said the country had the ability to hit 80 percent vaccinated in Auckland this week.

"It's the most important thing you can do to help us as we work together to get out of lockdowns."

Auckland's mayor Phil Goff agree, saying if New Zealand was to avoid future back-to-back lockdowns it was important that anyone who had not yet had the jab came forward to get it.

Meanwhile, one of today's new community cases was a truck driver who has travelled across the Auckland border, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield revealed today.

The truck driver has recently travelled to Hamilton, Tauranga and Cambridge. The driver was previously tested on 22 August. They work for food provision services and their contact was limited to deliveries and drop-offs.

Dr Bloomfield said the driver was tested after isolating as a household contact and health authorities are now trying to determine any locations of interest.

See how the rest of the day's Covid-19 news unfolded with RNZ's live blog.

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