Covid 19 coronavirus: Clarke Gayford says final test results today to determine Auckland's alert level move

Clarke Gayford has waded into the conversation about the Government's somewhat delayed move to announce whether or not Auckland will be moving down alert levels.

And it seems that a final round of Covid-19 results due this morning will determine that final decision.

Former Wellington chef Martin Bosley took to Twitter to share his view ahead of the 11.30am announcement - which will come despite Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Cabinet already making the decision yesterday.

"Feeling really sorry for all Auckland hospo having to wait until 11.30am today to find out about moving levels," Bosley wrote.

"It's utterly ludicrous. Stay strong, my friends. Keep the faith."

The PM's fiance, Gayford, replied to the Tweet; saying: "Martin an inprinciple decision was decided but its all pending on final test results (sic)."

Bosley replied: "Thanks Clarke. I appreciate the clarification."

Martin an inprinciple decision was decided but its all pending on final test results today.

— Clarke Gayford (@NZClarke) March 11, 2021

Some members of the public have replied to Gayford; saying it is not his place to comment ahead of the announcement.

Epidemiologist professor Michael Baker said he did not think there was an underlying meaning to the tweet - other than what the public already knows.

"It sounds to me like all he was saying is what the Government has been saying - the shift is very likely, subject to the results this morning."

That is the only reason for the delayed announcement, Baker said, and it would only be "bad luck" if there were any new positive cases in the community.

The timing of the announcement late this morning has been met with criticism from those in the business sector and politicians alike.

Auckland has not seen a positive case of Covid-19 in the community in the past two weeks and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins yesterday said he was "optimistic" the city would be moving into alert level 1 by the weekend.

'Kiwis deserve more respect'

National Party leader Judith Collins labelled the delay the "height of arrogance" from the Government.

She said it had shown itself devoid of understanding about the rigours of trying to operate a business.

"Kiwis deserve more respect."

Baker said there was always a risk of yo-yoing in and out of lockdown.

He acknowledged that it appeared officials were being more cautious now - after Auckland was brought out of a three-day lockdown, in relation to the Valentine's Day cases, before the city was put back into lockdown when the cluster had grown a week later.

"There is no right time for everyone. Everything's a calculated risk," Baker said.

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It has been a fortnight since a community case was confirmed in Papatoetoe - a 21-year-old man who had visited a local gym on Friday, February 26, after getting a Covid test.

He had visited several places throughout the week - when he was considered to be infectious - including the Manukau Institute of Technology campus, where he is a student, and City Fitness Papatoetoe twice.

The next day, on Saturday night, an emergency media conference was called and Ardern announced Auckland would be moving into alert level 3 lockdown for seven days in a bid to contain any potential spread of the virus.