There have been two changes to Auckland's alert level 3 boundary restrictions to make transit through the region for workers easier, the Ministry of Health has announced.
People can now transit through Auckland without stopping in order to travel for work. They must show evidence of their departure and destination points and their purpose of travel, however an exemption is no longer required.
The new changes came into effect at 11:59pm on August 22.
Border restrictions became enforced nearly two weeks ago after cases of COVID-19 were discovered in Auckland's community. The Super City was placed into a level 3 lockdown and the rest of New Zealand into level 2.
The Ministry of Health says the COVID-19 website lists the most up-to-date travel exemption categories and the evidence requirements for each. These include travelling for work or personal reasons, the evidence people need to bring with them in order to prove they can cross the border, and how to apply for travel exemptions.
"The Ministry has received more than 10,300 applications for exemptions - more than 1500 applications have been approved and around 400 have been declined," a Ministry of Health statement says.
"Urgent applications, for example, to visit a dying family member, are prioritised and processed promptly."
There are some circumstances where people don't need to apply, so the Ministry asks people check the COVID-19 website to know how to prepare to cross Auckland's border.
One example of people who don't require an exemption are those who need to travel into Auckland for hospital appointments. All that's needed to pass the regional border is identification and an appointment letter or similar evidence.
