From 11.59pm Tuesday 17 August, all of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 4.

This measure will remain in place for 3 days until 11.59pm 20 August for all of New Zealand, with the exception of Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula with both staying in Level 4 likely for the next 7 days.

This is a response to a community outbreak in Auckland which is currently under investigation and possibly linked to the Delta variant.

International evidence and science around the Delta variant shows that it is twice as infectious and more liable to cause severe illness.

The decision to change Alert Levels reinforces the need to take swift and robust action around the latest case to detect and stamp out the possibility of any further transmission.

At Alert Level 4, there are important rules we all need to follow to keep ourselves and each other safe.

• Stay within your immediate household bubble. Extended bubbles are allowed where there is shared care and custody arrangements or if you live alone. Once you go into a bubble you must stay in it and others cannot join.

• Keep 2m apart from other people at all times while in public. This includes when undertaking physical exercise in your neighbourhood, visiting the supermarket or pharmacy, urgent medical care or getting a test.

• If you undertake activities outside, please wear a mask when you leave the house.

• If you feel unwell you must immediately self-isolate from others in your bubble and get a test.

For further information on what Alert Level 4 means for you: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and.../alert-level-4/