State of national emergency lifted

The state of national emergency across New Zealand has been lifted after being extended six times to provide powers for critical work such as road and traffic management during the COVID-19 crisis.

A national transition period is now in place as the country prepares to move to COVID-19 alert level 2, Civil Defence minister Peeni Henare says.

“This move does not signal that New Zealanders should stop being vigilant in protecting themselves and others from the virus. It is essential we all follow the alert level requirements to ensure we do not lose the gains we have made,” he says.

“With fewer restrictions in place as we move to alert level 2 on Thursday (May 14), and the decrease in the numbers of COVID-19 cases, it is now the appropriate time to lift the state of national emergency and move into a national transition period.”

The national transition period will support a nationally consistent and coordinated approach to civil defence emergency management activities, including providing for the conservation and supply of food, fuel and other essential supplies and directing people to stop any activity that may cause, or substantially contribute to the consequences of, the spread of COVID-19.

Police can exercise powers during the transition period too.

It also allows the national recovery manager – Civil Defence Emergency Management director Sarah Stuart-Black – and others access to special powers designed to assist with recovery.

The latest notice applied from 12.21pm on May 13 and will remain in place for 90 days unless extended or terminated earlier.

A new legal framework for COVID-19 is being passed through Parliament in preparation for the move to level 2.