The Ministry of Health (MoH) have announced no new cases of COVID-19 today, the second day in a row. 

“This encouraging news means New Zealand’s combined total of confirmed and probable cases remains at 1,497, of which 1,147 are confirmed,” A MoH statement said. 

“We now have 1,402 people reported as having recovered from COVID-19, an increase of 4 on yesterday. This is 94% of all confirmed and probable cases.

“Again today there are two people receiving hospital level care for COVID-19 – one each in Middlemore and North Shore hospitals. Neither is in ICU.

“We still have 16 significant clusters, four of which are closed.”

There are no additional deaths to report.

Yesterday laboratories processed 5,961 tests, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 203,045.  

"The milestone of 200 thousand tests is just over 4% of the population and is a significant achievement," said Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

"I want to recognise everyone who has been tested, and the skilled workforce carrying out this testing which will continue to be an important pillar in the fight against COVID-19."

Level 2

"As the country prepares for Level 2 tomorrow, the sense of anticipation is both palpable and understandable,” Ashley said. 

"We’re all looking forward to re-establishing some of the routines and rhythms of our ‘normal’ lives.  

"In Level 2, it’s vital we continue to model the personal behaviours which are going to keep COVID-19 out of the New Zealand environment.

"The experiences we are seeing in other countries which have eased restrictions increasingly emphasises the need for us to be careful and not give away the substantial gains we've made."

Key health measures in Level 2 are:

• Keep your distance from other people when you’re out in public, including on transport.
• If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to work or school. Don’t socialise.
• If you have symptoms of cold or flu call your doctor or Healthline immediately and get tested.
• Good hand hygiene will continue to be the simplest and most effective tool we have to keep COVID-19 at bay.
• Keep your social gatherings to a maximum of 10 people at once.
• Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen to help with contact tracing if we need it.

"Today’s figures reinforce that we’re on the right path, maintaining our gains and heading for success but international experience shows that this is a stubborn virus," Ashley said.

"We don't want a situation where we start seeing spikes. We need to remain vigilant."