Another lockdown for one case in New Zealand

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern locks down Auckland for one case of Covid again, and this time includes the rest of the country.

Covid-19 community case: Nationwide level 4 lockdown | RNZ:

August 17, 2021 - "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced an alert-level 4 lockdown starting at 11.59pm tonight for seven days in Auckland and Coromandel, and three days elsewhere. Ardern and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield briefed media after a Cabinet meeting on the Covid-19 community case identified in Auckland today. The Ministry of Health announced about 2.30pm today a new case had been found in the community in Auckland, saying a link between the case and the border or managed isolation had not been established.... 

"Bloomfield said they were assuming it is the Delta variant.... 'I want to assure New Zealand that we have planned for that eventuality and that we will now be putting in place that plan to contain and stamp out Covid-19 once again,' Ardern said.... Ardern said New Zealand was one of the last countries to experience a case of Delta. It was a 'game changer' and the country only had one chance to get on top of it, she said....

"People must stay at home in level 4, only leaving for essential services, she said. 'And if you undertake these activities, please wear a mask when you leave your house.' Stay 2m away from anyone you pass, don't congregate and don't stop to talk to your neighbours, she said. 'We know from evidence overseas, that the delta variant can spread just by walking past someone'....

"The public can drive locally to essential services, such as the supermarket, but need to stay 2m away from others and wear a mask. The public are asked to wear a mask when they go out anywhere. 'Remember to always act like you have Covid-19. Stay clear of others and don't put them in harm's way,' Ardern said. The government will provide the necessary financial support over the coming period.

"Ardern said vaccinations would be suspended for 48 hours, but vaccinated people must follow the rules like everybody else.... Health officials will be looking at what extra protocols might need to be put in place before the vaccination campaign resumes. Bloomfield says the most important thing is to stop the outbreak, which requires stopping people's movement."

Read more: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/449376/covid-19-community-case-nationwide-level-4-lockdown