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Prime Minister Jacinda Arden and Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General of Health
We’ll have a live stream of the media conference here.
Watch the daily media conference with government officials and ministers.
Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are giving today’s update.
Dr Bloomfield told Morning Report that the increase of New Zealanders congregating at level 3 appears to be at expected levels, not worrying levels.
Meanwhile, The World Health Organisation has labelled New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic as world-leading, but also warned against complacency.
Ardern yesterday also warned New Zealanders would need to be more vigilant under the loosened restrictions.
Yesterday there were two new confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand, and one new probable case – bringing the total number of cases to 1472.
Live updates:
- 2 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, one confirmed, one probable – Dr Bloomfield
- New total confirmed cases is 1126, probable cases is 348. Total combined is 1474.
- No additional deaths to report today
- Six people are in hospital, none of those are in ICU.
- 1229 cases have recovered, an increase of 15 on yesterday
- Dr Bloomfield is reinforcing the key messages to stay vigilant during alert level three, keeping up good hygiene and only going out when it’s needed.
- Jacinda Ardern pointed out at the start of the address that she will continue doing these media conferences for the remainder of level three lockdown after receiving advice to do so. She will split her media duties with other ministers when necessary.
- Stay home, save lives remains the main message for alert level three – Dr Bloomfield.
- “We are not out of the woods yet” – Prime Minister Ardern.
- Ardern says a firm stance on the rule remains in place during alert level three.
- Police recorded 104 breaches in the first 18 hours of alert level three, 21 people have been prosecuted for the breaches.
- 742 complaints of businesses not complying with the rules were made – most of those related to businesses not employing safe social distancing measures. MBIE is following these complaints up.
- 7713 children attended early learning services, 11,846 children attended school today. That’s 4 percent of early childhood education and 1 percent attendance at schools.
- Ardern is acknowledging new initiatives for SMEs being worked on – “government is working on measures under which parties to a commercial lease would be expected to consider rent concessions in whole or in part for a period where the response to Covid-19 has had a material impact on business.”
- Ardern and Dr Bloomfield answering questions relating to Winston Peters’ media conference earlier. Clarifying why the Ministry of Health went to cabinet with advice to shut the border completely, including New Zealanders. Ardern says that idea was never entertained and has defended the Ministry advising that, saying it’s their job to ensure the safety of the New Zealand public.
- Dr Bloomfield says from this week, any New Zealander can get the flu jab.
- Dr Bloomfield says he has asked all the District Health Boards to have a planned approach to test specific populations and settings, including health care settings, aged care and essential services such as Supermarkets.
- Ardern says she wants New Zealanders to stick to those same principles that were in place during level four, for level three. She was acknowledging a question about large groups gathering to order takeaways.
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