Slight relaxation in rules for COVID-19 Level 3 Alert

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The building and forestry sectors can reopen when the country moves to Alert Level 3, customer-facing businesses need to find new ways to operate.

Cabinet will decide next week whether to move out of Level 4.

Announcing the new rules today, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Level 3 is a progression, not a rush to normality.

It carries forward many of the restrictions in place at Level 4, including the requirement to mainly be at home in your bubble and to limit contact with others.

The test for a business opening at Level 3 is that it can be done safely, rather than it being essential.

People must work from home if they can, but where that is not possible businesses may re-open but must comply with health and safety requirements around physical distancing and contactless engagement with customers.

Retail, hardware stores and restaurants can open but only for online or phone purchases and contactless delivery or click and collect.

Early childhood centres and schools will be available up to Year 10 only, but attendance is voluntary.

Tertiary education will mostly be through distance learning.

Funerals and weddings can go ahead, but only as services limited to 10 people, with no food or receptions afterwards.

New Zealand's total number of COVID-19 cases increased today by 15, made up of 6 new confirmed cases and 9 new probable cases.

It now stands at 1401, including 770 people who have recovered.

Targeted sentinel testing is now underway to look for community transmission, including 300 supermarket workers and shoppers tested in Queenstown this morning.

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