Auckland will reenter measures to lock down the coronavirus after a new cluster of the more contagious British coronavirus variant was discovered in New Zealand’s largest city, Reuters reported on Sunday.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the lockdown late on Saturday, saying it would last for a week. Ardern said a person was infected with the species for about a week without isolating.
“It is more than likely that there will be even more cases in the community,” she said at a news conference, Reuters said.
“Despite our best efforts to date, recent cases have come to work when they shouldn’t have,” she added.
The island nation has been one of the most successful countries in controlling the virus, quickly closing its borders, or shutting down individual cities when new clusters emerge.
The British variant was first discovered in New Zealand in mid-February, prompting a three-day order to stay at home. Officials have linked at least 14 cases in New Zealand to the variant.
Under the new measures, people will be restricted from leaving home for work and essential shopping. All public locations in the city will be closed and other parts of the country will be curbed at public gatherings. Several sporting events have been postponed or changed, including the America’s Cup yacht race, which was scheduled for Sunday, and the Twenty20 International cricket match, which will be played privately in Wellington, Reuters said.
New Zealand has recorded a total of 26 deaths and just over 2,000 infections from the virus since the start of the pandemic last year.