Northland has woken to tighter restrictions and another lockdown after shifting back to Alert Level 3 overnight Friday.
The shift back to Alert Level 3 means Northlanders will now be restricted in their travel and limited to their local area for necessities and health.
This includes exercise at a safe distance from other bubbles, grocery shopping and going to work if working from home isn't an option.
However, the Ministry of Health said those who can work from home should and children should be learning from home too.
Most of the country moves out of Level 4 lockdown at 11:59pm Tuesday, August 31. (Source: Other)
It also means hospitality businesses will need to return to contactless pick-ups and / or delivery for food.
Northland's airports - Kerikeri and Whangārei - will still operate at Level 3 but travel from there must be permitted. Those currently outside Northland in Level 2 who are wanting to travel back to their homes in the region via the airports can do so.
Other permitted movements include getting vaccinated or tested for the virus if someone has Covid-19 symptoms, although the Ministry of Health said the latter should be followed up by isolating at home until a negative test is returned.
Police will be patrolling to ensure the restrictions are followed and may ask for evidence of the purpose of travel if they approach someone away from their household.
The region was moved up from Level 2 by the Government on Friday evening after Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins held a sudden press conference at 6:30pm to address an unfolding situation with an "uncooperative" case who had been travelling "extensively" in the region after visiting from Auckland.
“Updated information provided by the police today shows the case moved extensively around Northland after travelling there on 2 October,” Hipkins said.
“We recognise that it is unusual to put a region into Alert Level 3 when there are no further cases.
“However it’s vitally important that we get ahead of any potential spread, and set up widespread testing and continue contact tracing efforts.”
He added the move was also required because of low vaccination rates in Northland.
So far, just two locations of interest have been identified in Northland - two gas stations in the region - but Hipkins said Northlanders should keep checking the Ministry of Health's website for more updates.
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