Wellington to move in Alert Level 2 for four days

The announcement comes after a person who travelled from Sydney to Wellington tested positive for the virus upon their return.

The person was in Wellington from 19 June until 21 June.

In today's 1pm press conference, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says that includes the Wairarapa and the Kapiti Coast.

The rest of New Zealand will remain at alert level 1.

Alert level 2 means:

• Limits on gathering size to fewer than 100 people, including tangi, church services, weddings and so on
• Physical distancing in public places of 2m, and at least 1m in most other places including workplaces
• Face masks remains mandatory on all public transport, and encourages while waiting for public transport and in rideshare services and taxis as well
• Businesses can open but must follow public health rules including the 100 person cap on venues
• Hospitality locations must apply the three S rules
• As with all levels, people with symptoms should call healthline or their doctor to seek advice on getting a test

Earlier today, the Ministry or Health said based on the time of their symptom onset and CT score, it is most likely they contracted the virus prior to their visit to New Zealand.

• Follow live updates on the situation on RNZ's live blog

Genome sequencing is underway in Australia to see if the case is linked to the current outbreak in Sydney.

Four close contacts have been identified and are isolating.

Wellingtonians and visitors to Wellington last weekend are urged to check the up-to-date list of locations of interest.

Last night, the ministry announced quarantine-free travel from New South Wales to New Zealand was put on pause, and would remain in place for at least 72 hours.

People who have been at these locations at the relevant time should immediately isolate at their home or accommodation and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on testing.

More to come...