The alert level four lockdown will be extended for all of New Zealand until 11.59pm on Tuesday (August 24). 

Prime minister Jacinda Arden announced the decision in a news briefing this afternoon. 

“We still need to be very vigilant,” the PM said. “We have hundreds of people who were in locations of interest who are now isolating in other parts of the country, including the South Island.”

The PM urged the public not to become complacent in the extended lockdown period.

“It may well pop up in other parts of the country in the coming days,” she said.

The extension means the government and health authorities have seven days from the original positive Covid-19 result to “make an assessment about all of New Zealand”, she added.

Under alert level four people can only leave their homes for exercise in their neighbourhood; to buy groceries; to receive medication or medical care; or for a Covid-19 test.

If people have cold and flu symptoms they should get a test, the PM said.

She reminded people to wear a face mask when leaving home and visiting essential services.  

Eleven new cases were discovered today, including three in Wellington.

PHOTO: Wanaka App