Most of New Zealand will move to alert level three on Tuesday (August 31) at 11.59pm.

While all parts of the country south of Auckland will drop down, New Zealand’s largest city could stay in lockdown for another two weeks, prime minister Jacinda Ardern said in an announcement this afternoon (Friday August 27). 

The rest of the country is staying in alert level four until Tuesday for three reasons, the PM said.

Doing so will provide the confidence of a full four-day cycle since the first case; there have been wastewater samples with Covid-19 in Christchurch; and there are cases in Wellington with contacts in the South Island.

Northland is included with Auckland at level four because of the positive wastewater sample in Warkworth, and because of its transit routes.

Jacinda described alert level three as a “watch and wait” level.

Under alert level three, people must stay within their household bubble whenever they are not at work or school. Children should only go to school if their parents are required to work and there are no other options available.

Once in alert level three people’s bubbles can expand to include close family, caregivers, and to support isolated people.

Cabinet will reassess the alert level settings on Monday (August 30). 

A full breakdown of alert level three can be found here.

Earlier: Covid-19: 70 new Auckland cases

PHOTO: Supplied