New Zealand has recorded one new coronavirus case and found another four “probable” infections, a day after .
New Zealand on Tuesday recorded its first cases in 102 days without a known source of infection - a family of four from South Auckland.
The latest case announced on Wednesday, a woman in her 50s who arrived in New Zealand on 7 August from Islamabad via Dubai, is currently in a managed isolation facility.
Four additional “probable” cases are now awaiting test results, the country’s top health official Ashley Bloomfield said on Wednesday.
“We will make available the test results as soon as we have them but they are all being treated as probable cases and therefore are in full isolation and full contact tracing has been initiated for those cases,” he told reporters.
Dr Bloomfield said contact tracing had already uncovered around 200 close contacts.
"Most of those contacts are from two workplaces and those people had been told last evening or this morning to remain at home," he said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appealed for calm from Aucklanders heading back into lockdown after the identification of Tuesday's new COVID-19 cases.
At midday on Wednesday, Aucklanders moved back to Level 3 restrictions, which requires them to stay home unless conducting essential work or essential personal movement, such as supermarket shopping, health care or exercise.
Pointing to surges around the world, including in Melbourne, Ms Ardern said she was compelled to act swiftly in response to the positive tests.
"I know it's frustrating," she said. "But if we get our immediate response right in this critical phase, we have the opportunity to lessen the time that we have those severe restrictions."
"In line with our precautionary approach, we will be asking Aucklanders to take swift action with us."
That rapid response testing and isolation will spread to two large Auckland workplaces and Rotorua, after one of the positive tests travelled there on Saturday while symptomatic.
A news alert is displayed on a mobile phone in Christchurch, New Zealand, Wednesday, 12 August, 2020. Source: AAP
Five million masks will be handed out in Auckland, though there is still no government mandate to wear face coverings at all times.
Air NZ has asked passengers on flights leaving Auckland to wear masks.
The NZX 50 Index dropped two per cent on opening on Wednesday morning.
Level 3 lockdown to last 60 hours
Auckland's Level 3 lockdown will initially last for 60 hours - from midday on Wednesday to midnight on Friday - to allow health officials to contact trace, isolate potential cases and conduct mass testing.
Kiwis have been asked to stay home from work and school, and all gatherings have been capped at 10.
Ms Ardern also announced that all aged care facilities would return to the highest Level 4 lockdown as a precautionary measure as more than half of NZ's 22 COVID-related deaths have been linked to rest homes.
The rest of New Zealand will return to Level 2 restrictions, which includes social distancing and gathering caps of 100.
The measures have prompted panic-buying and alarm in the community.
Kiwis headed to supermarkets in the hours after Ms Ardern's late-night address, with huge lines returning on Wednesday morning - even though they will remain open during lockdown.
Healthline has received more than 2000 calls in the past 12 hours, resulting in long wait times.
'Reach out and offer support'
Psychologist Jacqui Maguire said Kiwis would be experiencing a range of emotions, including "anxiety, fear, anger and disappointment".
"Take that disappointment and use it as motivation to stick to the rules," she said. "Turning away from or suppressing your emotional reactions will only intensify them.
"Hold compassion and kindness for yourself and others as you adjust, reach out and offer support to those around you.
"Take one day at a time, practise your wellbeing strategies and hold the hope that we will get through this together."
Despite the panic-buying, there appears to be goodwill for the decision and towards the infected family.
New Zealand's most-liked tweet on Tuesday night came from author Tracey Barnett, who wrote "A big, fat thank you to that South Auckland family for taking the initiative to get tested. You may have saved our bacon, thank you".
Dissolution of parliament deferred
Ms Ardern said that the dissolution of parliament to make way for a general election has been deferred until Monday.
New Zealand’s parliament was due to be dissolved on Wednesday morning, which is the first step towards holding the general election scheduled for 19 September.
Ms Ardern said no decision has been made yet on postponing the election.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Additional reporting by Evan Young.
