Covid 19 coronavirus: Australian health chief says New Zealand's strategy 'very dangerous'

New Zealand will maintain its current lockdown settings for 12 more days. That would mean the current settings will be in place for 14 days - or one full incubation period. Video / Chris Tarpey

Australia's top health official has criticised New Zealand's decision to lift Covid-19 restrictions after seemingly eliminating the virus.

Australia's acting chief medical officer Paul Kelly said today New Zealand should not have returned to pre-pandemic life after going 102 days without community transmission.

He said despite New Zealand's initial lockdown being successful, a return to mass gatherings and lack of social distancing was problematic.

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Australia's acting chief medical officer Paul Kelly. Photo / Getty Images

"That is just very dangerous," he told the Australian Senate's coronavirus inquiry today.

"To go right back to a pre-Covid state makes them extremely vulnerable."

People line up to enter a supermarket hours before a citywide curfew is introduced in Melbourne, on August 2. Photo / AP

Kelly said New Zealand's latest outbreak, which has spread to 30 people, showed why well-performing Australian states must remain vigilant.

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"What has happened in New Zealand is a real demonstration of why we have to remain cautious," he said.

Auckland is currently in at alert level 3 lockdown and social distancing measures have been reimposed across other parts of the country.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will announce any changes to those measures at 5.30pm today.

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