New Zealand locks down Auckland after first local cases in 100 days

New Zealand has shut schools and pubs in Auckland after identifying four new cases of community transmission of Covid-19 in the city.

Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister, and Ashley Bloomfield, director general of health, announced the test results late on Tuesday.

A South Auckland resident in his 50s tested positive, leading to the six people in his household being tested, with  three more cases found.

Officials are working to identify the source, as the initial case had not travelled recently and does not work in quarantine centres or on the border.

All close contacts of the four cases have been placed in isolation, regardless of symptoms. Workplace and other contacts are being traced and will be tested.

Dr Bloomfield “we have saying for some weeks it was inevitable that New Zealand would get another case of community transmission – it is a tricky virus. We have been preparing for that time, and that time has come”.

He said that people outside of Auckland must also be cautious, practice distancing, wear masks in places where distancing is not possible, wash their hands, and if they feel unwell – stay at home.

Dr Bloomfield said a mass testing programme will be established across the region, with new clinics set up to support those already operational.

Ms Ardern said Auckland will return to Level 3 restrictions Wednesday at noon.

As of Wednesday morning, all schools and child care centres in Auckland will be closed. Childcare and schools will only be available for the children of essential workers.

The prime minister said people in Auckland must work from home unless they are essential service workers. Pubs, restaurants, bars must be closed by noon. Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.

“One of the most important lessons we have learned from overseas is the need to go hard and go early, and stamp out flare ups... That is the best long-term economic approach.”

New Zealand beyond Auckland will return to Level 2 restrictions, which includes banning public gatherings of more than 100 people, mandating physical distancing where possible. The Prime Minister urged people to wear masks in areas where distancing is not possible, such as public transport.

“These three days will give us the time to assess, to gather information, to carry out widespread contact tracing so we can identify how this case arose,” said Ms Ardern.

“Travelling to Auckland is prohibited unless you live there and are returning home... Police will be issuing further guidance on restrictions, including road block use, in the morning.

“Please do not rush to the supermarket tonight... Supermarkets will be open, there will be ample stock on the shelves.

“If you operated as an essential service under Level 3 last time, those are the settings we return to. If in doubt, stay at home.

“I know that this information will be very difficult to receive. We had all hoped not to find ourselves in this position again, but we had also prepared for it. As a team, we have been here before.

“In Auckland we are setting up a mass testing programme. We will test tens of thousands of people over the next few days.”

The prime minister said “everyone” who works in border services or in the managed isolation system will be tested.

“Please, stay home if you’re in Auckland. Be vigilant. We will get through this.”

In Christchurch on the same day, two retirement villages went into lockdown and residents were tested for Covid-19 after residents displayed flu-like symptoms.

Brookhaven Retirement Village in Woolston tested eight of its residents and put them in isolation after they displayed symptoms. Emergency-only visits were being accepted, and those visiting were asked to wear masks and use hand sanitiser, it was reported in local media.

It was revealed earlier on Tuesday that the Village Palms Retirement Community in Shirley had advised family members in a letter that it was in lockdown after residents began displaying symptoms of a respiratory illness.

As at late on Tuesday, no one in the retirement villages had returned a positive test.