Northland has gone two weeks without any new Covid-19 case as only four active cases remain in the region.
Twenty-four of Northland's 28 positive cases have now recovered as just three new confirmed cases were announced nationally today. One case related to overseas travel, another to an existing case andthe other was still under investigation.
Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay also reported there were no additional deaths as New Zealand's total number of confirmed and positive cases grew to 1479, 85 per cent of which had recovered.
Six people were in hospital but none in intensive care. There were still 16 clusters, however, one cluster had seen no new cases in 28 days and would be deemed closed today.
Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay. Photo / File
McElnay said another cluster was set to close tomorrow with a further six to be closed in the next few days - provided no further cases were discovered.
Earlier today, the Waitematā DHB confirmed three Waitakere Hospital staff have tested positive for Covid-19. McElnay confirmed full PPE had been available to staff and the source of infection was under investigation.
Speaking alongside McElnay, Finance Minister Grant Robertson sent a warning to potential partiers this weekend after increasing reports of parties being held between bubbles.
"Cancel your plans now...police will be taking a dim view of that activity," he said.
"Don't be an idiot, stick to your bubble and everyone will be better off."
Finance Minister Grant Robertson. Photo / File
Regarding alert level three enforcement, Robinson said there had been a total of 281 breaches, 96 in the last 24 hours. Seventy-seven people had been prosecuted along with 180 warnings administered.
Robinson announced the winter energy payment would be doubled to support older and low-income New Zealanders. It would be raised to $1400 for couples and $900 for a single person.
The minister also outlined a new interest-free loan scheme, targeted to the country's small and medium-sized businesses.
The scheme will provide $10,000 to every firm and in addition $1800 per equivalent full-time employee.
That means if a firm has three full-time equivalent workers, it would receive $15,400 – $10,000 as a base loan and $5400 for all three employees.
A firm with 50 full-time workers would get the full $100,000 – $10,000 as a base loan and $90,000 for its 50 employees.
The loans are only interest-free if they are paid back within a year, Robertson said.
After that, the interest rate will be three per cent for a maximum term of five years. Repayments are not required for the first two years.
