All of New Zealand from the south of Auckland will be moving to alert level three on Tuesday - also known as lockdown but with takeaways. Meanwhile, Auckland and above will remain in level four for at least two weeks.
On Friday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said due to the Delta outbreak in Auckland it's too soon for New Zealand's biggest city to reduce restrictions.
But it's good news for everyone south of Auckland who will have access to new freedoms next week.
Alert level three is fairly similar to full lockdown. The main real difference is Kiwis can access takeaway food services.
The last time the rest of the country was in level three was last year so here's a reminder of what it means.
What's allowed at alert level 3
Under alert level 3, people are told to stay in their household bubbles. Bubbles should be exclusive, with social visitors not allowed to enter your home.
The bubbles are made up of those in your immediate household but can be expanded to connect with close whānau, to bring in caregivers or to support isolated people.
Physical distancing is still required, with two-metre distances advised outside your home or one metre in controlled environments like workplaces.
Schools and Early Childhood Education centres can open but will have limited capacity, and attendees should stay at home wherever possible.
Businesses will not be allowed to offer services involving close personal contact, unless it is a supermarket, primary produce retailer, pharmacy, petrol station or hardware store providing goods to trade customers, or an emergency.
Other businesses can open, but physical interaction with customers is prohibited.
Public venues, such as libraries, cinemas, museums, food courts, gym and playgrounds will be closed.
Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed only in the case of weddings, funerals and tangihanga, with physical distancing and other public health measures mandatory at these events. Gatherings beyond this 10-person limit are not allowed under any circumstances.
Healthcare services must use non-contact consultations where possible, and people at high risk of severe illness are encouraged to stay at home.
Golden rules for businesses at alert level 3
If your business requires close physical contact it cannot operate.
We recommend your staff work from home if they can.
Businesses need to display a QR code and have an alternative contact tracing system. We recommend making sure people either scan in or provide their contact details.
Customers cannot come onto your premises — unless you are a supermarket, dairy, butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, petrol station, pharmacy or permitted health service.
Your business legally must be contactless. Your customers can pay online, over the phone or in a contactless way. Delivery or pick-up legally must also be contactless.
Basic hygiene measures legally must be maintained. Physical distancing, hand washing and regularly cleaning surfaces. Workers legally must stay home if they are sick.
Staff legally must remain a minimum of 1 metre apart at all times where practical. Other measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) including face coverings, we recommend being used where appropriate.
Different advice applies to essential healthcare workers, border agencies, courts and tribunal staff, first responders and corrections staff. You can get further advice from the Ministry of Health
You legally must meet all other health and safety obligations.
