Prime minister Jacinda Adern has explained what life will look like under alert level three.

The PM emphasised that the information she gave, at a briefing today (Thursday April 16), “in no way foreshadows the decision” the government will make on Monday about whether or not to move to level three from the current alert level four.

Jacinda said indications at this stage are “promising” that the country may move to level three.

“We will step down to level three in a way that is consistent with our goal to eliminate COVID-19 in New Zealand,” she said.

While the principle of alert level four was to eliminate contact with others, the principle of level three is to restrict contact. 

“There is still a high risk the virus can get out of control and bounce back,” she said, describing level three as “something like a recovery room”.

The most significant changes at alert level three are around work. 

“At level three we cautiously begin to open up our economy,” Jacinda said.

Businesses will move from “essential” operations only to “safe operations only”, and applicable businesses must maintain social distancing and good hygiene practices.

Some businesses cannot open in their usual way, including “public facing” bars, restaurants and cafes, malls and retail stores. “Face to face transactions” are not permitted, Jacinda said.

Unlike at level four, online shopping and food delivery will be allowed. Jacinda said the government is working on industry specific guidelines to minimise risk.

She advised all businesses to work on a plan of how to safely operate in level three.

There will also be a “partial reopening of education”, where early learning/education centres and schools are open for children up to and including Year 10, with appropriate public health measures in place. All students in Years 11-13 will continue to learn at home.

Children will be kept in their own school bubbles, but children who are able to stay at home are encouraged to do so.

In terms of recreation, the PM advised: “Keep it alone or in your bubble, keep it low risk, and keep it non-motorised”.

“Tough calls” will remain for life events during level three, the PM said. Funerals will be able to go ahead but with no more than ten people attending. The same number applies for weddings, which can have ceremonies but no receptions.

If there is any sign of congregation, the government will not hesitate to review the changes, Jacinda said.

The PM would not be drawn on whether some regions would move to level three while others remain in level four. She said there were “complex questions” to take into account. 

Personal protection and hygiene principles will still be important in alert level three. 

“Keep our distance, wash our hands, keep yourself and your bubble safe. Act like you have COVID,” Jacinda said. 

The director general of health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, said “we’re over the peak in level four but still not out of the woods,” adding it will be “even more important to be vigilant” in level three.

Find more information on life under level three here.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App