The decision to move most of New Zealand to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 means it will be business as usual again at Christchurch City Council’s public facilities.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed this afternoon that all of New Zealand, apart from Auckland, will move from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1 at 11.59pm tonight.  Auckland will move to Alert Level 2.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said “the change in alert levels is good news because it means health officials are confident they have the community cases of COVID-19 contained. “

“The cluster of community cases in Auckland though is a reminder to us all that we need to remain vigilant because our fight against COVID-19 is not over yet.’’

Under Alert Level 1, the Council’s public facilities will operate largely as normal.

However, council will continue to have QR codes displayed at the entrance to all the facilities so that people can use the NZ COVID Tracer app to record their visit.

What you need to know about today’s Alert Level announcements

At 11.59pm on Wednesday night, Auckland will shift from ‘Alert Level 2.5’ to Alert Level 2. That means from Thursday, Aucklanders will be able to attend social gatherings of up to 100 people, and Auckland-based funerals or tangihanga can host up to 100 people.

From midnight tonight, the rest of New Zealand will return to Alert Level 1.

At Alert Level 2, Aucklanders are still required to wear a face covering on public transport and are encouraged to wear them in places where physical distancing is difficult. 

If you are travelling out of or to Auckland, be aware that face coverings will be required on all inter-regional public transport journeys to and from the Auckland region. This includes flights, inter-regional buses or trains.

However, if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay home and call Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor for advice about getting tested. Remember, it is free to get tested.

Cabinet will meet on 5 October to review New Zealand’s current Alert Level settings.

So what’s changed?

• Auckland will be at Alert Level 2 from 11:59pm on Wednesday, 23 September, which means that from Thursday gathering size limits will increase to 100.

• From midnight tonight, the rest of New Zealand will be at Alert Level 1, which removes restrictions on gathering sizes.

• Face coverings are only required on public transport if you are in the Auckland region, but wherever you are, you are encouraged to wear them in places where physical distancing is difficult.

• Face coverings must also be worn on all inter-regional public transport journeys to, from and through, the Auckland region.

• Aucklanders are encouraged to ‘take their Alert Level with them’ if they leave Auckland, by avoiding large gatherings and wearing face coverings on public transport.