Auckland local lockdown ends after outbreak fizzles out

NEW ZEALAND authorities ended lockdown in Auckland last night after the country reported just two new cases of Covid-19 in its latest figures.

Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister, announced that curbs in the hotspot of New Zealand’s outbreak would be eased, but said these could be tightened again if necessary. Limits will stay on public gatherings and movement in

Auckland, with face masks made mandatory nationwide from today.

It came as the government was forced to withdraw an incorrect public notice that caused a rush of people at testing centres. At 5pm on Saturday the government’s official United Against Covid-19 social media channels posted a notice advising people in west and south Auckland to get tested regardless of whether they had symptoms. The following morning saw a significant rise in turnout at testing centres, lasting until 1.15pm when the prime minister stated the notice was incorrect. Ms Ardern said she was “incredibly angry” about the misleading information being disseminated.

Ms Ardern thanked Aucklanders following the easing of lockdown measures, but also urged them to “keep going” with their vigilance and caution. She warned that New Zealand would return to higher alert levels if necessary. The new level of restrictions for Auckland, which the prime minister referred to as level 2.5, entails level 2 restrictions but with additional limits on public gatherings.

The new cases reported yesterday were linked to the same Auckland cluster, Caroline Mcelnay, the director of public health, said.

There are 136 known active cases in the country at present, with 10 people in hospital and two in intensive care.