Auckland will reintroduce coronavirus closure measures after a new group of the more contagious British coronavirus variant was detected in New Zealand’s largest city, Reuters reported on Sunday.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the closure late Saturday, saying it would stay for a week. Ardern said a person was infected with the strain for about a week without isolating.
“It is likely that there will be additional cases in the community,” she told a news conference.
“Despite our best efforts to date, recent cases have gone to work if they should not,” she added.
The island nation was one of the most successful countries in fighting the virus, quickly sealing its borders or closing individual cities when new clusters emerged.
The British variant was first spotted in New Zealand in mid-February, causing a three-day home order. Officials have linked at least 14 cases to the variant in New Zealand.
Under the new measures, people will be restricted to leaving home for work and essential shopping. All public venues will be closed in the city, and other parts of the country will also be subject to public meetings. Several sporting events have been postponed or changed, including the America’s Cup yacht race, which was set for Sunday, and the Twenty20 International cricket match, which, according to Reuters, is played privately in Wellington.
Since the start of the pandemic last year, New Zealand has recorded a total of 26 deaths and just over 2,000 infections due to the virus.