Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned any premature opening of the border is “dangerous”. 

The Ministry of Health earlier announced that there are no new cases today, the first 'zero' day since June 18.

There are 22 active cases, all confined to quarantine or managed isolation facilities. 

There have been no cases of community transmission.

Currently, 4,858 beds are occupied in managed isolation with a total capacity of 6,103, meaning a spare 1,245 beds. 

With arrivals scheduled later this week, and accounting for departures from the facilities, the Government expects that number to fluctuate. 

Jacinda said four more facilities will be opened, which will provide an additional 1,150 spare beds. 

Ramping up capacity was needed to match the increasing inflow of returning Kiwis, she said.

The Prime Minister responded to calls to open the border and warned the pandemic is raging worse than ever overseas. 

She said we are in the enviable position of being able to go out for dinner, socialise, and enjoy a COVID-free environment. 

Any opening of the border will risk that. 

“There will be a time in the future when we will open the borders, but to do so when the virus is getting worse, is dangerous,” she said.

Jacinda said opening up more to Australia and the Pacific was being considered, but anyone pushing for more open borders now was irresponsible.

Asked if she was referring to the Opposition when she said it was "dangerous" to call for immediate easing of border restrictions, Ardern said it was up to the Opposition to articulate its position.

"COVID is not over. It's not going to be over for some time."

She said it was now on Australia to get their COVID-19 cases under control in order to open up to a trans-Tasman travel bubble.