The Country
  • The Country home
  • Latest news
  • Audio & podcasts
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life
  • Listen on iHeart radio

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • Coast & Country News
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Horticulture
  • Animal health
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life

Media

  • Podcasts
  • Video

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whāngarei
  • Dargaville
  • Auckland
  • Thames
  • Tauranga
  • Hamilton
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Te Kuiti
  • Taumurunui
  • Taupō
  • Gisborne
  • New Plymouth
  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dannevirke
  • Whanganui
  • Palmerston North
  • Levin
  • Paraparaumu
  • Masterton
  • Wellington
  • Motueka
  • Nelson
  • Blenheim
  • Westport
  • Reefton
  • Kaikōura
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Christchurch
  • Ashburton
  • Timaru
  • Wānaka
  • Oamaru
  • Queenstown
  • Dunedin
  • Gore
  • Invercargill

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • What the Actual
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / The Country

Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Level 3 is imminent for parts of NZ - but what does it actually change?

NZ Herald
27 Aug, 2021 03:15 AM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

A daily wrap of all the main developments in the Covid-19 Delta outbreak as New Zealand is plunged into lockdown for the fifth time. Video / Mark Mitchell / Brett Phibbs

Millions of Kiwis are waiting on tenterhooks for this afternoon's announcement about whether their region will be released from the Covid-19 national lockdown.

But if areas free of community cases of the deadly and swift-moving Delta variant do have their restrictions loosened - will life actually change much?

The answer is, not really.

Under the current lockdown rules every person must stay home if they can - and must only leave for essential supplies, work or exercise.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Travel is heavily restricted and only approved businesses can operate.

If the South Island and Delta-free parts of the North Island are moved down a level this afternoon there will be slightly more freedom under the current government Covid-19 rules.

However those rules can and could be tightened.

STAY HOME STAY SAFE - STILL

As they stand currently, at alert level 3 people must legally stay within their household bubble whenever they are not at work or school.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Bubbles can be expanded to connect with close family and whānau or to bring in caregivers, or support isolated people.

Masks are mandatory on public transport and domestic flights and everyone over the age of 12 legally must continue to keep a record of where they have been when visiting certain places so contact tracing can happen quickly.

Physical distancing must continue to be maintained and travel is still limited - you can travel within your local area for supplies and exercise but that's it.

"Now is not the time to take up new activities, or expose yourself or your bubble to any risk. You can do low-risk recreation activities in your local area," the government urges.

TRAVEL AND PUBLIC SPACES

Travel between regions will remain heavily restricted and if there is a boundary put in place by the government, that information will be made public and published on the Unite against Covid-19 official website.

Public spaces remain closed - libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts, gyms, pools, playgrounds and markets.

The tourist mecca of Queenstown is looking much like a ghost town after the Government put the country into a Level 4 lockdown. Photo / George Heard
The tourist mecca of Queenstown is looking much like a ghost town after the Government put the country into a Level 4 lockdown. Photo / George Heard

Public events and venues also remain banned and closed.

But gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed for wedding and civil union ceremonies, funerals and tangihanga.

Physical distancing and public health measures legally must be maintained at such events.

KAI AND BOOZE

Cafes, restaurants and takeaways can open at alert level 3, but only for contactless pick-up, delivery or drive through.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

You cannot go in to dine.

Food delivery services, such as Delivereasy and Uber Eats, can also operate at alert level 3.

Liquor stores can only offer contactless pick-up and delivery - if their liquor licence allows delivery.

Nightclubs and bars must stay closed.

WORKPLACES - THE HARD RULES

To keep workers and customers safe there are still strict rules for businesses at alert level 3.

The government still recommends staff work from home if they can.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

And - if your business requires close physical contact it cannot operate.

Businesses need to display a QR code and have an alternative contact tracing system.

Masks will have to be worn in Level 3. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
Masks will have to be worn in Level 3. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Customers cannot come on to your premises — unless you are a supermarket, dairy, butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, petrol station, pharmacy or permitted health service.

Your business legally must be contactless. Your customers can pay online, over the phone or in a contactless way. Delivery or pick-up legally must also be contactless.

Basic hygiene measures legally must be maintained - physical distancing, hand washing and regularly cleaning surfaces.

Workers legally must stay home if they are sick.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Staff legally must remain a minimum of 1 metre apart at all times where practical.

Other measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) including face coverings, are recommended as being used where appropriate.

SCHOOL'S STILL OUT - MOSTLY

Children and young people should learn from home at alert level 3.

Any child who does not have supervision at home from an appropriate person can attend their service or school.

FUNERALS AND CEMETERIES

At alert level 3, priests, imam and religious celebrants can provide last rites in a hospital, hospice or private residence and funerals can be officiated by your imam.

Funeral directors will work closely with Muslim communities to support ghusl (ritual washing) and janaza (prayer over the body) being carried out safely.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
People will still have to get tested and self isolate if they become sick. Photo / Mark Mitchell
People will still have to get tested and self isolate if they become sick. Photo / Mark Mitchell

As per the rules though, just 10 people can attend the funeral.

If you need to travel into or out of a region for a funeral or tangihanga you will need to apply for an exemption.

Kiwis can visit a cemetery in their region, if you can do so safely while keeping two metres away from people not in your bubble.

FOR FULL INFORMATION ABOUT LEVEL 3 AND WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR REGION AFTER THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN - CLICK HERE.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from The Country

The Country

Butter prices: Here’s how much they might still rise

09 May 05:03 AM
The Country

'Prime focus': Avocado industry targets global markets

09 May 03:08 AM
The Country

Watch: Deer's ill-fated dash to airport - 'I've hit the darn thing'

09 May 02:44 AM

One tiny baby’s fight to survive

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from The Country

Butter prices: Here’s how much they  might still rise

Butter prices: Here’s how much they might still rise

09 May 05:03 AM

The price of butter could reach $9.50 by September.

'Prime focus': Avocado industry targets global markets

'Prime focus': Avocado industry targets global markets

09 May 03:08 AM
Watch: Deer's ill-fated dash to airport - 'I've hit the darn thing'

Watch: Deer's ill-fated dash to airport - 'I've hit the darn thing'

09 May 02:44 AM
Winston Peters' rugby days on The Country

Winston Peters' rugby days on The Country

09 May 02:02 AM
Connected workers are safer workers 
sponsored

Connected workers are safer workers 

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP