The Government has announced New Zealand will move from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm on Wednesday 13 May. Until then we are still in Alert Level 3.
Temporary limits on gathering numbers will be in place when we first move to Alert Level 2.
Cabinet will review Alert Level 2 restrictions on Monday 25 May.
Play it safe
You will have more freedom of movement at Alert Level 2, but it’s up to each one of us to keep the rest of New Zealand safe.
These are the most important things that you can do:
- COVID-19 is still out there. Play it safe.
- Keep your distance from other people in public.
- If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to work or school. Don’t socialise.
- If you have symptoms of cold or flu call your doctor or Healthline and get tested.
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow, regularly disinfect surfaces.
- If you have been told to self-isolate you must do so immediately.
- Keep a track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.
Life at Alert Level 2
Life at Alert Level 2 means we can resume many of our everyday activities — but we have to do so safely.
- Most businesses can open if they can do it safely. This will help to get people back to work.
- We can go in-store at local businesses.
- Tertiary education facilities, schools and early learning centres will be open.
- We can travel between regions.
- Initially gatherings like weddings, funerals, tangihanga, religious ceremonies and social gatherings can have up to 10 people.
- We can safely connect and socialise with close friends and family, in groups of 10.
- We can visit local cafes and restaurants bars and pubs to have a meal.
- We can return to our regular recreation activities, at first keeping to 10 people.
Controls at Alert Level 2
Alert Level 2 is not life as normal, some restrictions and other measures remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission.
- We need to maintain physical distancing.
- We will keep tight controls in place at our borders.
- Our wide-scale testing will continue.
- We will find and self-isolate anyone who is unwell and their close contacts.
- There will be measures in place to allow some safe travel and socialising.
- Only small, controlled gatherings will be permitted.
- Early childhood centres, schools and tertiary organisations will see most people returning — with controls in place.
- Physical distancing, hygiene standards and contact registers will make businesses safe.