The number of COVID-19 cases had risen to 10 on Wednesday, although modelling suggested numbers could rise to 50-100. "From the experience of what we've seen overseas, we are absolutely anticipating more cases," Ardern said. The move to lockdown will put the country "in a much less risky position", she added at a media conference. New Zealand will be in level 4 lockdown, the highest alert level, for at least three days, while Auckland will remain in lockdown for seven days. Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the government will reinstate a wage subsidy from Friday if the country is still in lockdown.

Source: The Star August 18, 2021 02:03 UTC