National emergency extended to April 14

The state of national emergency to support the COVID-19 response has been extended a second time, for a further seven days.

The initial declaration was on March 25, and the seven-day declaration can be extended as many times as necessary without changing the length of the alert level four lockdown.

“On the advice of the director of Civil Defence Emergency Management and after consultation with the prime minister, I consider the state of national emergency should remain in place to support the COVID-19 response,” Civil Defence minister Peeni Henare says.

He says that enables civil defence emergency management professionals to do critical work during this time, including managing roads, traffic and public places; providing first aid, food, shelter and accommodation.

“Use of these powers have included the requisitioning of a carpark so it can be used as a community-based assessment centre, and to support NZ Police to prevent people from doing non-essential activities,” Henare says.

“As we enter our third week under a state of national emergency and at alert level four, I would like to thank all New Zealanders who have continued to work tirelessly to support the response to COVID-19 through these incredibly challenging times.”

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