New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a new lockdown as Auckland recorded three new local Covid-19 cases.
The move took place after the country was free of the pandemic for about two months.
Ardern said that New Zealand’s biggest city would be under level three restrictions – where everyone is required to stay home except for essential shopping and essential work.
She added that the move in place was made until they discovered more about the outbreak, including finding out if the infections involved more contagious variants.
The rest of New Zealand will also be placed under heightened restrictions but not into a lockdown.
Minister for Covid-19 response Chris Hipkins revealed a couple and their daughter in Auckland contracted the virus. Genomic testing will be conducted to know if it was linked to any highly infectious variants.
Currently, the authorities are also carrying out contact tracing for all who have connected with the family.
Also read: New Zealand Expected To Lift Lockdowns As Last Remaining Covid-19 Patient Makes A Recovery
