Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced New Zealand will shut down in response to the community transmission of coronavirus, in two days time.
The most severe response, level 4 of the country's Covid-19 threat system, was announced by Ardern on Monday afternoon.
Schools will close from Tuesday, non-essential businesses will shutter, and travel around the country will be "severely limited".
The community transmission of coronavirus in New Zealand had Ardern, during a press conference on Monday afternoon, announce the country had moved to level 3, and would prepare to enter level 4.
This means all New Zealanders are instructed to stay at home until public health officials can grapple with the virus - expected to be four weeks.
Ardern said the measures would save thousands of lives, despite the unprecedented social and economic disruption it will cause.
"We are all now preparing to go into self-isolation ... It will help give our healthcare system a fighting chance.
"The trajectory is very clear, act now, or risk the virus taking hold, as it had elsewhere … We currently have 102 cases, but so did Italy once.
Alert level 1 - prepare
The disease is contained
RISK ASSESSMENT:
- Heightened risk of importing Covid-19 or
- Sporadic imported cases or
- Isolated household transmission associated with imported cases
- Border entry measures to minimise risk of importing coronavirus cases applied
- Contact tracing
- Stringent self-isolation and quarantine
- Intensive testing for coronavirus
- Physical distancing encouraged
- Mass gatherings over 500 cancelled
- Stay home if you're sick, report flu-like symptoms
- Wash and dry hands, cough into elbow, don't touch your face
Alert level 2 - reduce
The disease is contained, but risks of community transmission are growing
RISK ASSESSMENT:
- High risk of importing Covid-19 or
- Increase in imported cases or
- Increase in household transmission or
- Single isolated cluster outbreak
RANGE OF MEASURES:
- Entry border measures maximised
- Further restrictions on mass gatherings
- Physical distancing on public transport (leave the next seat empty if you can)
- Limit non-essential travel around New Zealand
- Employers start alternative ways of working if possible -ie: work from home, physical distancing in workplace, shift-based working, staggering meal breaks, flexible leave arrangements
- Business continuity plans activated
- High-risk people - ie: those over 70 or with medical conditions - advised to remain at home
Alert level 3 - restrict
There's a heightened risk the disease is not contained
RISK ASSESSMENT:
- Community transmission occurring or
- Multiple clusters break out
- Travel in areas with clusters or community transmission limited
- Affected educational facilities closed
- Mass gatherings cancelled
- Public venues closed (ie: libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, amusement parks)
- Alternative ways of working required and some non-essential businesses should close
- Non face-to-face primary care consultations
- Non acute (elective) services and procedures in hospitals deferred and healthcare staff re-prioritised
Alert level 4 - eliminate
It's likely that the disease is not contained
RISK ASSESSMENT:
- Sustained and intensive transmission
- Widespread outbreaks
- People instructed to stay at home
- Educational facilities closed
- Businesses closed except for essential services (ie: supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics and lifeline utilities)
- Rationing of supplies and requisitioning of facilities
- Travel severely limited
- Major reprioritisation of health services
