Auckland to move to Alert Level 2 from midnight today

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will move back to Alert Level 2 from midnight today. 

Everyday Life in Alert Level 2

At Alert Level 2, you can go to work and school but should follow public health measures and consider others around you.

Good hygiene

It’s important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

How to practise good hygiene and stay healthy

Keep track of where you’ve been

You should keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen. This helps with rapid contact tracing if it’s required.

How to keep track of where you’ve been

Businesses are legally required to display the NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster. They legally must also have an alternative contact tracing system.

Get your NZ COVID Tracer QR code poster

Personal movement

At Alert Level 2, you can leave home, but you should follow public health measures and consider others around you.

Physical distancing

Keep your distance when outside your home.

You should keep a distance of at least:

• 2 metres in public and in retail stores, like supermarkets and clothes shops
• 1 metre in most other places like workplaces, cafes, restaurants and gyms.

Physical distancing detailed information

Face coverings

At Alert Level 2 the risk of COVID-19 being present in the community is higher.

You:

• legally must wear a face covering on public transport and on domestic flights
• are encouraged to wear face coverings in situations where physical distancing is not possible, like in shops.

Face covering advice and requirements

Local travel

You can travel, but make sure you do it in a safe way.

You should not travel if you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, are awaiting a test or if you need to self-isolate.

Local travel restrictions

Travel between regions

You can travel to other regions that are at Alert Level 2 or lower.

Regional travel

Gatherings and events

No more than 100 people at social gatherings, including weddings, birthdays, funerals and tangihanga.

There are specific restrictions at Alert Level 2 depending on the type of gathering:

Exercise, sport and recreation

You can do your usual exercise and recreation activities if you can do them safely.

Professional leagues can go ahead at Alert Level 2 because they take place in controlled workplaces.

How to exercise safely at Alert Level 2

Gatherings, events and public facilities

Workplaces and businesses

Businesses can open, but they legally must follow public health rules. These include physical distancing and record keeping.

How to do business at Alert Level 2

Golden rules for business at Alert Level 2

• Reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
• All businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are encouraged where possible.
• Talk with your staff to identify risks and ways to manage them.
• Ask everyone — workers, contractors and customers — with cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms to stay away from your premises.
• Keep workers 1 metre apart and customers in retail businesses 2 metres apart.
• Businesses are legally required to display a QR code and provide an alternative contact tracing system. 
• Face coverings are strongly encouraged if you are in close contact with others.
• Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them.
• Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

If you are unwell

• If you’re sick, stay home. Do not go to work or school. Do not socialise.
• If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, call your doctor or Healthline and get advice about being tested.
• If you have been told to self-isolate you legally must do so immediately.

Self-isolation, quarantine and testing

At Alert Level 2 there may be some situations where you need to self-isolate or go into a quarantine facility.