Auckland is days away from shifting down to alert level 2 when stores can re-open to the public and students can return to school, but venues cannot exceed 100 people and masks must be worn on public transport.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson thanked Aucklanders on Friday for putting up with almost three weeks of alert level 3 which is set to finish on Sunday at 11:59pm, despite new cases of COVID-19 appearing in the community every day this week.
The Ministry of Health reported five new cases in the community on Friday, all linked to the south Auckland cluster that sparked the city's level 3 lockdown on August 13. One of the new cases is linked to the Mt Roskill Evangelical Church "sub-cluster".
Robertson said despite the new cases, Aucklanders can have more freedom because alert level 2 will be a bit different from last time. While businesses and schools can open, venues will be limited to 100 people and face masks must be worn on public transport.
"Last time we had days without cases before the move. This time there will continue to be cases and for some time. We do need Aucklanders to behave in order to not inadvertently spread the virus," Robertson said.
"That's why we're keeping gathering sizes to 10 only for events like faith-based gatherings and church services or birthday parties and weddings. We have seen these gatherings spread the virus so we're being extra cautious for now."
By Friday morning, the Ministry of Health's contact tracing team had identified 2475 close contacts of cases of the cluster, of which 2433 have been contacted and are self-isolating, and the rest are still yet to be contacted.
"We are nearly there but the job is not quite done and there are a few things that we are asking of Aucklanders this weekend," Robertson said.
"The first is to get a test. If you have any cold or flu-like symptoms at all, or are in any way connected to, for example the Mt Roskill evangelical church or Mt Albert Grammar School, we need you to get tested today or this weekend.
"In order for Auckland to move with confidence to level 2, we need to know that there are not further undetected cases in the community."
More than 11,000 tests were processed on Thursday so Aucklanders can have some confidence that new cases are being picked up where they pop up.
You can view the up-to-date list of testing sites in Auckland here.
Can you leave Auckland?
You can leave Auckland under level 2 but Robertson has asked Aucklanders to be vigilant.
"We request that those travelling out of Auckland be considerate about where they're going and how many people they're interacting with," he said. "The last thing we want from reopening Auckland up is to spread the virus around the country."
Air New Zealand will resume flying all of its Auckland domestic routes when the region moves to level 2 on Monday. From then on it will be mandatory for customers travelling during level 2 to wear a face covering while on board.
Can you go to the movies?
You can go to the movies and there can be 100 people in the cinema at the same time, but the Government is asking people to keep in groups of 10 to help contact tracers if they ever need to get in touch.
"Public venues such as museums and libraries can open and facilities like cinemas and concert venues can have up to 100 people in a defined space," Robertson said.
Can you go to a restaurant?
You can go to a restaurant but venues will only take bookings of no more than 10 people and you must abide by the three S's rule: seated, separated and single server.
The Government has made it mandatory for all businesses to display a QR code for the Ministry of Health's NZ COVID Tracer app. It allows you to keep a digital diary of the places you visit, again making it easier for contact tracing.
Can you go to school?
You can send your children back to school and the Government is not making it mandatory for students to wear face masks on school buses or anyone under the age of 12.
"It's safe to send your children to school and to [early childhood education] centres," Robertson said.
But adults must wear face coverings on general public transport from Monday or else you could be fined $300. You do not have to wear a mask in taxis and Ubers only the driver does.
Can you host a party?
You can host a party but you cannot invite more than 10 people. The same goes for church gatherings – only 10 people can congregate.
"I need to remind Aucklanders that restrictions do still apply until 11:59pm on Sunday evening," Robertson said.
Can funerals go ahead?
Funerals and tangihanga can go ahead with up to 50 people but it requires Ministry of Health approval.
"There will be a limit of 50 people for authorised funerals or tangihanga," Robertson said.
"Level 2 will see significantly more economic activity and businesses reopening. But we're doing this in a staged way for a reason, with new precautions like face coverings required in certain settings," he said.
"These precautions are a small price to pay for getting more of our freedoms back faster."
These alert level settings will remain in place for at least one week, with Cabinet reviewing them on Sunday, September 6.
