The rest of New Zealand, outside of Auckland, will move down to alert level 2 from 11:59 pm, Tuesday 7 September, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced in the post-cabinet conference.
Schools in level 2 can re-open on Thursday morning. Mask-use in schools in recommended, but not yet a requirement.
People in Northland will be allowed to travel through Auckland to go south, for instance where they may need to travel for work.
Auckland will remain in alert level 4 until at least 14 September, which cabinet will review on Monday, 13 September.
Ardern also announced recent changes to alert level 2, what she describes as “Delta level 2”:
- Face coverings are now mandatory for most indoor facilities. Masks can be taken off to eat and drink. Staff at any public-facing businesses must wear masks too.
- New rules on scanning require people to scan in bars, restaurants, cinemas, churches and close contact businesses like hairdressers. Private events must keep records of people attending.
- Limit of 50 people for indoor gatherings, hospitality settings and event venues. Outdoor venues can have up to 100 people.
- Indoor public facilities like gyms, libraries and museums, follow the same rules as retail and supermarkets, requiring 2-metre distance between people.
There are 20 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, all in Auckland, the Ministry of Health reported. This marks the third day of 20 cases, as numbers seem to be steadying.
Covid-19 community cases in the past five days:
- 2 September: 84
- 3 September: 19
- 4 September: 20
- 5 September: 20
- 6 September: 20
However, the health officials are have asked Aucklanders to step up testing, after seeing a significant drop in tests. 2592 tests were carried out in Auckland on Saturday, a tenth of the number in earlier days of the outbreak.
“Testing remains central to us being confident that the outbreak is under control,” says Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. He urges people who have been in locations of interest and/or are symptomatic to get tested.
