New Zealand Government looks to ease Coronavirus restrictions

April 21, 2020

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that the nation will ease its Coronavirus restrictions, move from its current ‘Level 4’ lockdown to ‘Level 3’ status as of next Monday.

Thanking people for "stopping an uncontrolled explosion of Covid-19", as she announced an easing of lockdown, Prime Minister Ardern stated "we have done what very few countries have been able to do. We have stopped a wave of devastation.

“Our transmission rate, the number of cases each person with the virus passes it onto, is now 0.48, less than half a person each. Overseas the average is 2.5 people. We have amongst the lowest number of confirmed cases per 100,000 people in the world.”

With the Oxford University Coronavirus government response tracker showing New Zealand has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world, Prime Minister Ardern (pictured) said New Zealand had a “relatively low proportion of serious cases.”

Overall 1,400 people have become infected with coronavirus in New Zealand, and 12 people have died, all older people with pre-existing health conditions.

The move to ‘Level 3’ means some businesses can reopen, along with some schools, while rules on local travel will be relaxed.

New Zealand introduced a state of national emergency on 25th March, and went to ‘Level 4’ later that day.

The Level 4 lockdown meant people had to stay at home, except for "essential personal movement". Exercise was allowed locally, but travel was "severely limited".

Businesses closed - except for essential services - as did schools and public venues while all gatherings were cancelled.

Level 3 will allow businesses to open but not "physically interact with customers".

Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed but only for weddings, funerals and tangihanga (Maori funeral rites).

Level 3 will last for at least two weeks, with a new decision on 11th May.

New Zealand's borders, which closed to almost all foreign travellers on 19th March, will remain sealed.

20th April 2020 - Snow.NZ confident there will be a winter sports season in 2020

18th April 2020 - Recreation Aotearoa Coronavirus resource includes advice on reducing aquatic centre operating costs during facility closures

15th April 2020 - Nature key to New Zealand’s post Coronavirus recovery

9th April 2020 - Key exercise bodies produce New Zealand’s biggest online fitness directory during lockdown

8th April 2020 - New Zealand Health Minister demoted following lockdown breaking mountain bike ride and beach visit

7th April 2020 - New Zealand Events Association highlights dramatic deterioration of the sector

3rd April 2020 - Eight out of 10 New Zealand trainers and exercise facilities now operating online

2nd April 2020 - Economist’s prediction anticipates no foreign visitors to New Zealand until late 2020

1st April 2020 - Recreation Aotearoa launches dedicated Coronavirus website

27th March 2020 - Go with Tourism to provide free support service for New Zealand tourism workers and businesses

26th March 2020 - New Zealanders urged to stay out of the water during lockdown period

25th March 2020 - New Zealand’s latest Coronavirus measures significantly impacts outdoor recreation

24th March 2020 - Latest lockdown could be the end for many New Zealand hospitality businesses

24th March 2020 - New Zealand events industry reports cancellation of more than 3,000 events

23rd March 2020 - New Zealand Councils close facilities

21st March 2020 - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern introduces alert system to halt spread of Coronavirus

21st March 2020 - Creative New Zealand establishes multi-million dollar Coronavirus response

20th March 2020 - ANZ Premiership shutdown marks end of all top-level sport in New Zealand

19th March 2020 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa shares concerns over business closures and job losses

15th March 2020 - Coronavirus travel restrictions to impact New Zealand tourism and sport

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.