Latest from NZ Herald Focus Live

Mandatory masks? Health Minister not ruling out mass masking

It could soon be illegal for Aucklanders not to wear masks in public.

Covid cluster family 'shell-shocked', being bullied online

Cluster family bullied online: 'The comments on social media have turned nasty'.

Covid complacency unmasked: Masks should be mandatory - expert

"This is 99 per cent the Government's responsibility to get right," expert says.

Focus Live: Seven new Covid-19 cases in New Zealand

There are seven new cases of Covid-19 today. All are in the community and there are no cases in managed isolation. Six cases are linked to the Auckland cluster and one case is being investigated. Video / Chris Tarpey

Watch: Auckland Mayor Phil Goff on lockdown extension: 'Do not panic buy'

Phil Goff says he's glad the city is not going into level 4.

Focus Live: Covid-19 lockdown settings to continue until 11:59pm on August 26

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

Focus Live: Siouxsie Wiles pushes for Alert Level 4 following community spread

Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles reveals if we went to Alert Level 4 we could be 'out of this much sooner'. Video / Will Trafford

Wellington Covid risk: Traveller dines at noodle shop, later tests positive

Two travellers who left NZ last week later tested positive for Covid-19 overseas.

Two new Covid cases confirmed in Tokoroa

Members at a church in Māngere are urged to get tested after a family tested positive.

'Huge risk' people won't trust Covid-19 vaccines - expert

Fears about the safety of a Covid-19 vaccine could put people off receiving it.

Why NZ needs to ramp up genome sequencing to trace source of new outbreak

The Conversation: Ministry of Health should make genetic sequencing mandatory. Here's why.

'Beyond grim': Thousands cancel hotel bookings

The workforce at hotels has halved already and worse could follow.

Return of a Covid cluster - NZ to learn lockdown fate at 5.30pm Friday

Today's results reveal the first trends from mass testing.

'Worth staying home for': Kiwis review NZ Covid-19 updates 'season 2'

The 'unexpected' second season of the television series has come with mixed reviews.

Focus Live: 13 new Covid cases in Auckland - all will go into quarantine

There are 13 new Covid cases in Auckland and they all will now go into quarantine. All of the 13 cases are linked to the original four confirmed cases from the new outbreak in South Auckland. Video / Chris Tarpey

Full lockdown or freedom in Auckland: PM, Bloomfield and Cabinet to decide

'We round up sheep, we don't round up people,' says health boss Ashley Bloomfield.

Aucklanders stopped from leaving the region

Aucklanders are being sent home if they try to cross the borders without valid reasons.

Quarter-of-a-million children home from school in Auckland

Auckland schools say they are ready to return to home learning, but kids may fall behind.