From 11.59pm Sunday 14 February, Auckland moved to alert level 3 while the rest of New Zealand moved to level 2 for three days, until midnight Wednesday 17 February.

The move was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last night after three members of a family living in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe tested positive for COVID-19.

Jacinda said the alert change came out of an abundance of caution and would be reviewed every 24 hours.

"Three days should give us enough time to gather further information, undertake large scale testing and establish if there has been wider community transmission," she said.

"I think it is an example of how tricky COVID-19 has always been."

It’s bad news for the Maniototo A&P Show, which was scheduled for Wednesday and has already been forced to announce its cancellation. 

Jacinda said this COVID threat was a "good, timely reminder too, to everyone, please turn on the Bluetooth function and keep scanning".

The precautionary approach had served New Zealand well to date, Ardern said.

Cabinet weighed up many factors and decided moving the country up alert levels was the necessary response, she said.

"Cabinet's plan is based on the best science and what we know works from previous cases here and responses overseas. "

The prime minister has assured the public that the vaccine programme would not slow down because of the level changes.

Cabinet's next decision will be announced today at 4pm.

What level 2 means

Level 2 for the rest of the country means businesses and schools remain open, but with social distancing.

Unfortunately for Central Otago, the Maniototo A&P Show has already been forced to cancel. 

All entrants, sponsors and trade exhibitors have been informed to wait for email correspondence from the show organisers. 

Under Level 2, people are encouraged to practice good hygiene, keep track of where they have been and stay home if they are unwell.

People are asked to maintain a distance of 2m from others in public spaces and in retail stores.

In other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms, people must stay 1m apart.

Hospitality businesses must keep groups of customers separated, seated, and served by a single person with a maximum of 100 people at a time.

Masks are mandatory on public transport and encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.

Gatherings, including weddings and funerals, are limited to 100 people.

A border will be put in place in Auckland. Those who need to travel through the border can apply for an exemption.

For more information on Alert Levels, click here. 

Level 3 restrictions for Auckland

Level 3 means Aucklanders will need to stay home. They should also work from home if possible.

If they venture out, Aucklanders must maintain 2m distance.

Schools and early childhood centres will stay open for children of essential workers.

Supermarkets, pharmacies, primary produce retailers, and petrol stations can remain open.

Police will re-establish road checkpoints in and out of the Auckland region when Alert Level 3 restrictions come into effect at midnight tonight.

The boundaries will be set mostly in the same locations as the last time Auckland was in Alert Level 3 in August.

Eight checkpoints on the outskirts of Auckland will be stopping vehicles and questioning drivers, ensuring there is no non-essential movement through the region.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield’s message to all Kiwis

“This evening, I want to speak to the rest of New Zealand, as well as the people of South Auckland,” said Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

“It’s more important than ever that everyone around the country remains vigilant. If you wonder what you can do in this situation, and whether it will make a difference – the answer is, it does.

“If you feel unwell, please call Healthline and arrange to get a test.

“Please, keep up the mahi with the hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquettes we’re continuing to reinforce.

“Please, keep up with the Contact Tracer App, turn on Bluetooth and scan, scan, scan.

“There’s been a huge amount of work around these cases already today and there will be people in the public health response and elsewhere working into the night.

“But the health system can’t do it alone.  It’s our “together” which will make the real difference.”

For more information on Alert Levels, click here.