The Government is opting against a snap lockdown for Christchurch - even if more cases emerge in the city, PM Jacinda Ardern says. The decision to remain at alert level 2 was consistent with other responses when there is a strong knowledge of the history of the new Covid community cases.
Christchurch residents will be holding their breath in the coming days, hoping the city isn't plunged into level 3 lockdown after it recorded its first Delta community cases.
The Government has so far kept the city in level 2, holding off calling a snap lockdown due to early information indicatingthat the two Covid cases had little close contact with others.
The cases raise questions about whether travel restrictions between the North and South Islands are tough enough after one of the cases flew home from Auckland.
It also highlights the challenges around vaccine mandates and whether unvaccinated people can be prevented from boarding flights taking them home.
New locations of interest are expected to be announced in Christchurch on Friday morning. Photo / George Heard
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel called the new cases a "wake-up call" and a "lucky break".
"It's really good news that we are staying at level 2, but it's a big reminder, a wake-up call for everyone in Christchurch," she said.
Christchurch residents were out in full force on Friday morning getting tested for Covid-19. Photo / George Heard
South Island residents have so far enjoyed one of the most charmed lives anywhere in the world since the pandemic began last year.
The South has only had one Covid community case during this latest Delta outbreak at a time when Aucklanders have been stuck in their homes in lockdown for the past 10 weeks.
That solitary case was found in Blenheim last week in a person who flew back from the North Island - yet so far that case has not led to any more infections in the community.
Before that the South Island's previous Covid community case occurred more than a year ago.
However, Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the Delta variant is now in New Zealand to stay, and if it doesn't spread with the current Christchurch cases, it is only a matter of time until it returns to the city.
The Bishopdale New World is a location of interest. Photo / George Heard
On this occasion, the virus got into Christchurch when one of the new cases flew home from Auckland.
That person had earlier travelled to Auckland to provide childcare - a permitted activity under level 3, if no other person is available.
They returned a negative Covid test, before both their trip to Auckland and their trip back to Christchurch on October 15.
The second Covid case lives with the first person and is a truck driver, who spent four days at work during their infectious period, Hipkins said.
The two new cases then became unwell and returned positive results to their October 26 Covid tests.
There have so far been nine close contacts identified in three houses - all are now isolating.
There are also nine initial locations of interest spread across Christchurch, at a supermarket, takeaway outlets and multiple dairies.
Mayor Dalziel said pushing ahead with vaccinations is crucial.
Canterbury DHB is having a successful vaccination campaign, with 89 per cent of eligible residents having had their first dose.
However, the city is lagging in second dose vaccinations, with just 68 per cent of eligible residents double-jabbed.
She also urged residents to wear masks and scan into businesses using the Government's Covid Tracer app after it was revealed the new cases hadn't been using the app.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, meanwhile, said Christchurch wouldn't necessarily move into level 3 restrictions if more cases are found.
So far contact tracers had been able to get a good understanding of all the locations visited by the two new cases, and this combined with the city already being in level 2 gave the Government confidence the outbreak could be contained.
