On Monday, we will be finding out if the level four lockdown has been successful enough for the country to move down into level three. Although less strict than level four, level three does not mean we will be going back to life as normal. There will still be many businesses closed, and activities that are off limits. 

The government has said that they need to wait until the 20th of April to make the call, as they need as much data as possible about the virus, case numbers and how it has been spreading before determining whether it is safe for us to move back into level three. If the call to move from level four is made on April 20, businesses and the population will have 48 hours to make the necessary arrangements before the lockdown shift occurs. 

Things like surfing and swimming, activities banned in level four, will once again be allowed in level three, but spaces like gyms will have to remain closed. Public venues such as libraries, museums, cinemas, food courts and amusement parks will also remain firmly shut.

Areas that have clusters or evidence of community clusters may remain under level four, or be held to more intense rules than the rest of the country. 

Schools may reopen physically for children from early childhood to year 10 on the 29th of April. However, attendance will be voluntary. The priority will be children of essential workers. 

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said when the shift to alert level three happens, he expects a "greater number of businesses to be trading".

Alert level three means that some of our favourite local restaurants may be up and running again, on a takeaway only basis. The hospitality sector is also lobbying the government to convert current on-premise alcohol licenses to off-premise licenses, Hospitality New Zealand president Jeremy Smith said. That way they could offer something unique: a cooked meal for four people and a bottle of wine or burgers and cocktails.

"We are looking to create a point of difference to, at the very least, try to generate some revenue while we are waiting to go from level three down to level two and

we can reopen", Smith said.

For hospitals and doctors, level three will still mean avoiding face to face appointments where possible, using phone calls and video conferences to help patients. 

Those that are able to work from home are asked to continue doing so, as although we will be allowed to make minor extensions to our bubbles, the virus is still a threat. The government is still encouraging to ‘stay home and save lives’. 

Funerals and weddings will be able to go ahead but limited to 10 people, and services only: no meals, food or receptions can take place.

In lockdown level three, travel restrictions remain, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. “Previously we have talked about keeping it local. At level three we will ask that you keep it regional. Restricting movement to only what is necessary is still the goal here.”

It is possible that areas that have clusters or evidence of community clusters may remain under level four, or be held to more intense rules than the rest of the country.