At 11:59 pm yesterday, Auckland was put into a three-day lockdown, after a family of three tested positive with the UK strain of Coronavirus.
Like Victoria, Auckland has entered a ‘short, sharp, lockdown’ to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced that the city’s schools would remain open for the children of essential workers, but all other students will be asked to stay at home.
Pharmacies and supermarkets will stay open, but non-essential businesses requiring face-to-face interaction will close.
What’s happening in Auckland?
Auckland went into level three restrictions from 11:59pm local time on Sunday 14 February, with the rest of New Zealand at alert level two.
The news comes after a family of three tested positive for the virus.
Tthe Mother of the family works at an airline catering company.
Health authorities are currently working to find out how the family contracted the virus.
Any passengers flying to Australia from New Zealand between Monday 15 February and Wednesday 17 February will be required to hotel quarantine for 14 days.
READ: One-Way Trans-Tasman Bubble Paused After Auckland COVID-19 Cases
Air New Zealand Domestic Update
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Auckland Region will enter COVID-19 Alert Level 3 from 11:59pm 14 February, while the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2, Air New Zealand has made a number of changes to its services.
The airline asks that customers travelling to and from Auckland check they are eligible to travel under the Alert Level 3 restrictions. Customers travelling from Alert Level 2 regions are able to transit through Auckland on their way to other Alert Level 2 regions.
Food and beverage service onboard domestic flights had already been suspended in response to the latest community cases and this suspension will remain in place until further notice. Water is available on request on all flights.
From Monday 15 February, Air New Zealand’s Auckland lounges and valet parking will close. Due to capacity restrictions under Alert Level 2, the maximum number of people able to access the airline’s lounges in other regions is capped at 100.
While the country is at elevated Alert Levels, Air New Zealand will be taking extra precautions to keep its staff and customers safe. Air New Zealand front line staff and cabin crew will be wearing masks and gloves and customers are required to continue to wear face coverings onboard.
Customers with existing bookings between Monday 15 February and Sunday 21 February who wish to rebook to travel before Sunday 7 March will have any fare difference waived, and customers can call the contact centre to arrange this.
In addition to this, customers who hold a ticket for a domestic flight scheduled to depart up until 30 March 2021 and no longer wish to travel are able to opt in for credit and can do this via the airline’s online booking tool. Customers who are unable to manage their booking online do not need to contact Air New Zealand immediately or prior to their flight’s departure – assistance will be provided at a later date to find an alternative flight option or a credit note can be arranged.
What’s happening in VIC?
On Friday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a five-day lockdown in response in response to the UK variant outbreak linked to the Melbourne Airport Holiday Inn.
Victorians must stay within their 5km home radius and masks must be worn everywhere except the home.
Tasmania, Western Australia, ACT, Queensland, South Australia and Northern Territory all have border restrictions for Victorian travellers.