COVID is back! There have been four cases of community transmission confirmed in Auckland.  Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 from noon on Wednesday 12 August 2020 for at least three days until midnight on Friday 14 August 2020.  

The rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2 from midday on Wednesday 12 August 2020 until midnight on Friday 14 August 2020.

The rules for the next 3 days can be found at: https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19/restrictions/auckland/

Some key points for Auckland families to note are:

1.  Stay home if you are not at work, school, exercising or getting essentials. You should stay within your household bubble but can expand this to connect with close family/whānau, or bring in caregivers, or support isolated people.

2. Maintain physical distance of 2 metres outside your home, including on public transport, when buying the groceries or exercisiging.

3. It is highly recommended to wear a mask if you are out and about.

4. Work from home if you can

5. Children should learn from home if they can. 

   Schools in Auckland can safely open but will have limited capacity. Where possible students are encouraged to learn from home.

6. Go home if you do not live in Auckland

   If you are currently in Auckland, but do not live in Auckland, then it is suggested that you go home.  Practise good hygiene and be conscious of your health. Keep your bubble small.

7. Gatherings of up to 10 people can continue, but only for wedding services and funerals. Physical distancing and public health measures should be maintained.

8. You can do low risk recreation activities in your local area

   You can only do recreational activities by yourself or with people from your bubble. Maintain physical distancing (2 metres) from people outside your bubble. 

   Organised sports and group activities with anyone outside your bubble is not allowed outside your bubble.

   Playgrounds, including those in parks and schools are closed and cannot be used as viruses can stay alive on surfaces and playgrounds are also places where people usually congregate.

   You can hunt on private land, but not on public conservation land. You should stay within your region and stick to your bubble. Overnight trips are not encouraged. You should only hunt on foot — using quad bikes, off-road bikes, helicopters and other motorised vehicles is not encouraged.

   Boating, yachting and any team sports or training are not encouraged.

   Further details on what play, active recreation and sport was allowed when we were at Level 3 last time, can be found here: https://sportnz.cwp.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Play-Active-Recreation-and-Sport-at-Alert-Levels-4-4.pdf

9. Keep your bubble as small as possible. 

10. Wash your hands often with soap, then dry them. Cough and sneeze into your elbow. Clean surfaces.

11. Keep track of where you have been.

12. If you are sick, stay at home and quickly seek advice from your GP or Healthline about getting a test.

13. Most businesses can open under Alert Level 3.
    

    Businesses are able to open, but should not physically interact with customers.

    Essential services including healthcare, justice services and businesses providing necessities are able to open.

    Bars and restaurants should close, but takeaways are allowed.

14. Public venues should close

    Public venues including libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds and markets should close.

15. Restrict travel to permitted movement in your local area. For example going to work or school, shopping or getting exercise. You should not travel to another region for recreation or work unless you’re an essential worker travelling for work. You should not take a flight to another region unless you’re an essential worker, travelling to do essential work.
    
    Public transport can continue to operate with strict health and safety requirements. You should maintain physical distancing and wear a mask.