New Zealand extends Covid-19 restrictions as outbreak spreads

WELLINGTON (DPA), 8 OCT, 2021 - More parts of New Zealand will be placed back under strict Covid-19 restrictions overnight, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced on Friday.

Auckland, the country’s largest city, has been under restrictions after a single case was detected on August 18. The number of cases in the outbreak has now reached 1,492.

A positive case had been detected in Northland, north of Auckland at the top of the North Island, Hipkins said.

The region would be placed under restrictions despite it being unusual to enforce restrictions for one case, Hipkins said.

“However it’s vitally important that we get ahead of any potential spread, and set up widespread testing and continue contact tracing efforts.”

Businesses would have to move to contactless trade, and education centres would close, although most are already shut due to the school holidays.

The restrictions would be reviewed on Monday, he said.