Auckland to remain Alert Level 3 for 4 more days, PM affirms govt's "elimination strategy"

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has extended Auckland's current Alert-3 Level settings for another four days till midnight, Sunday, August 30. Following that Sunday, Auckland and the rest of New Zealand will continue to remain at Alert Level 2. 

Ardern says keeping New Zealand at level 2 is important because of regional travel - many people will want to enter and leave Auckland once it moves into level 2.

Unequivocal affirming of govt's "elimination strategy" 

Ardern has also unequivocally affirmed the government's continued faith in the "elimination strategy," as the best response to the Covid-19. 

This is a bold move given that the government and the Prime Minister has been under tremendous pressure in the last couple of weeks for alleged sloppiness in border-management resulting in pushing Auckland into Alert Level 3 lockdown and the accompanying economic distress. 

Prime Minister Ardern addressed the nation in her much-awaited press conference at 3 pm today informing about the nature of the advice and the cabinet's subsequent decision on that advice received from Director General of public health Ashley Bloomfield. 

She told the nation that the Ministry of Health has advised for extending Auckland's lockdown for another four days - advice that the cabinet has accepted wholeheartedly. 

Revised settings of Alert Level 2 for Auckland 

Prime Minister Ardern also informed about the revised settings of Alert Level 2 for Auckland, which will now restrict mass gatherings to only 10 and also mandatory use of facemasks in public transport. 

Face mask made compulsory in public transport

Ardern also informed cabinet's decision requiring the wearing of masks while commuting in public transport starting next Monday, when Auckland eventually moves out of Alert Level 3 restrictions. 

"We continue to ask everyone on public transport or planes to wear a mask," she says. "They limit the chance for Covid-19 when it is often harder to distance yourself and trace people."

Mass Gathering restricted to 10

Once Auckland comes out of Alert Level 3 next Monday, the mass gathering will be restricted to a maximum of 10 only except at funerals, which allows 50 people at one gathering.