New rules around mask wearing and a resumption of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout were announced at yesterday’s 1pm briefing by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
Ms Ardern revealed that there were a total of seven cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in the community in Auckland and those people were being safely transferred to quarantine.
A further three cases had been identified in MIQ.
Genome sequencing has now revealed that the virus strain which had infected the original case, a 58 year-old man from Devonport, had originated in New South Wales.
Ms Ardern announced that, from 11.50pm yesterday, mask-wearing would now be mandatory for everyone going out to access essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies.
Staff would also be required to wear masks, she said.
In addition, health authorities would resume the vaccine rollout across New Zealand from 8am today.
This would operate under Alert Level 4 conditions, and some bookings would be moved to allow for social distancing.
Ms Ardern urged those with vaccine bookings to turn up for their vaccine.
People aged 40 years and over are now able to book online through bookmyvaccine.
