There are no new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand for the 18th consecutive day, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield confirmed on Tuesday.
There are currently no known active cases of the virus nationwide after the recovery of the last active case, an Auckland woman, was announced on Monday.
Tuesday's press conference marks the Ministry of Health's last COVID-related briefing.
The official COVID-19 statistics therefore remain unchanged. On Monday, 1053 tests were processed, bringing the overall test total to 295,901.
However, Dr Bloomfield noted there are new restrictions in place regarding the exemption process for new arrivals in quarantine or managed isolation.
Changes to isolation exemption process, funeral restrictions
People in managed isolation are no longer permitted to apply for an exemption to attend funerals and tangihanga. Overseas arrivals who may have been exposed to the virus "pose a greater risk" now New Zealand is in alert level 1, Dr Bloomfield said, as physical distancing is no longer required and there is no cap on event attendees.
However, people who have returned to New Zealand may still apply for leave on compassionate grounds to grieve with a small group of people prior to or following a funeral, or to spend time with a dying loved one.
They cannot attend the funeral service or tangihanga.
People who have been in quarantine - those who are symptomatic as they come across the border, or those who have developed symptoms during the 14-day isolation period - "have never been able to take up that compassionate leave exemption", Dr Bloomfield confirmed.
"This is of course unfortunate, but we think this is a necessary trade-off as we relax our domestic restrictions," he said.
During alert level 2, 142 exemptions from managed isolation were approved on compassionate grounds for people to attend funerals, tangihanga or to visit a dying loved one. However, 182 similar applications were declined.
Returning Kiwis should initiate their exemption application before arrival.
'We need to keep COVID-19 out'
Dr Bloomfield also noted there will be "tighter measures and controls on people coming across the border into New Zealand" under alert level 1, "designed to keep all New Zealanders safe".
All returning Kiwis are still required to spend 14 days in quarantine or managed isolation.
Each new arrival in managed isolation will be tested twice during the 14-day period, whether they have symptoms or not, around day three and around day 12, Dr Bloomfield said.
Any returning New Zealander who is symptomatic on arrival will be identified, taken to a quarantine facility and tested.
"This is part of our arrangements to make sure we're not missing anything... we are making sure that we detect these cases [at the border] whether people have symptoms or not."
Anyone who develops symptoms during the 14-day managed isolation facility will be quarantined.
'People should have a dance, if the mood takes them'
When asked by a reporter if he encouraged New Zealanders to "let their hair down" under alert level 1, Dr Bloomfield said: "People should have a dance, if the mood takes them".
"We've done the hard mahi and our work has paid off," he continued.
He reiterated that Kiwis should be focusing on buying locally, "getting out and about" and "enjoying everything the country has to offer" with friends and the community.
"Notwithstanding - there is still a pandemic raging beyond our shores. We need to make sure we're doing everything to keep the gains we've made," he said.
Dr Bloomfield also revealed that health officials' hearts "fluttered" when recent testing of two siblings, believed to be from Auckland, returned one weak positive result. However, the individual was re-tested and later confirmed not to be a case.
The Director-General of Health reiterated the Prime Minister's comments yesterday that New Zealand will see more cases of COVID-19 in the future. However, the Government and the ministry are prepared, he confirmed.
