BREAKING NEWS: New Zealand will move to level 3 of lockdown from 11.59pm next Monday, April 27. Alert level 3 will be held for two weeks and then Cabinet will assess whether to move down another level. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement just after 4pm today. Cabinet wanted to "lock in some gains" and give some certainty, Ardern said. Level 4 had originally been scheduled to lift on Thursday this week.

Brian from New Lynn

"Ultimately we have taken a balanced approach," Ardern said. Ardern said at every point along the way the Government's decision was based on health and economic advice, and NZ was in the fortunate position that those were linked. Lifting level 4 restrictions late on Monday - a public holiday to mark Anzac Day which this year falls on a Saturday - was also recommended by Bloomfield. Any businesses needing to prepare to move into level 3 could be accessed, Ardern said, as could schools, to prepare for the return of pupils. April 28 will be a teachers' only day and April 29 will be the first day of term. On businesses accessing their premises, it wasn't an invitation to open or trade, she said - just to prepare. Ardern's message to the hospitality sector - which is losing another weekend of businesss - was that it is in their interest to get back to normal life as soon as possible, and the extra week of level 4 lockdown would help NZ achieve that. Testing will continue this week to ensure all demographics in the community were reached, Ardern said. Alert level 3 still has many restrictions and does not allow more social activity, though allows more commerce to re-open. Cabinet would decide on May 11 whether to move out of alert level 3.
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Alert level 3: What you can and can't do
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You are allowed to expand your 'bubble'
Bars, cafes and restaurants closed
Food delivery services available
Travel still restricted to your local area
You can swim and fish from the shore but cannot go out on a boat
Public transport only allowed for travel to work or school
Public venues remain closed
Gatherings of up to 10 people allowed for weddings and funerals
Retails stores to remain shut
Employees asked to work from home if possible
Kids can return to school if their parents need to go to work
You still cannot go to the gym or get a haircut
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