State of emergency declared – what’s it mean?

A state of national emergency has been declared across the country to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

This allows the Civil Defence emergency management director Sarah Stuart-Black, along with national controller David Coetzee and local controllers, to direct and coordinate personnel, material and other resources, and provides access to other extra-ordinary powers.

They can, as needed, regulate land, water and air traffic; close roads and public places, exclude people or vehicles from any place, evacuate any premises and conserve fuel, food and other essential supplies.

“Failure of anyone to play their part in coming days will put the lives of others at risk, and there will be no tolerance for that,” prime minister Jacinda Ardern says.

“We do not expect to use the full extent of these measures but, as with everything we have done in response to Covid-19, we plan, we prepare, we have in place everything we need to get through.

“For now, I ask that New Zealanders do their part. Stay home, break the chain, save lives.”

Police and the military will work together with assistance ready as required.

Ardern says if people don’t comply police will remind them of their obligations and can escalate the situation if required, including arresting and detaining people.