Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 from midnight today, while the rest of the country moves to level 2.

The move follows three new community Covid-19 cases identified in South Auckland.

The new alert levels will remain in place for three days, but will be reveiwed every 24 hours.

At level 2, schools and business will remain open, but people are encouraged to work from home where possible.

At level 2, you should keep at least 2 metres in public and in retail stores, like supermarkets and clothes shops, and 1m in most most other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms.

Masks become mandatory again on public transport, while hospo venues must keep patrons seated and separated.