New Zealand will keep coronavirus restrictions in place for another 12 days as authorities work to determine the scale of an Auckland outbreak that has now infected at least 30 people, APA reports citing SBS.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Friday afternoon Auckland would remain in Level 3 lockdown, and the rest of the country in Level 2, until 11:59pm on 26 August.
Ms Ardern said the extension of the lockdowns would buy authorities more time to stop the Auckland cluster from growing.
The government would review the restrictions on 21 August, Ms Ardern said, adding there was "nothing to suggest" any area in the country needed to move back to a harsh Level 4 lockdown.
Earlier on Friday, New Zealand's Chief Health Officer Ashley Bloomfield announced 12 new coronavirus cases and one probable case.
Positive tests have been recorded at four schools and at least two businesses, as officials deploy a "rapid response" contact tracing effort.
Dr Bloomfield said of the 13 new cases, all but one of them is linked to the initial cluster of four in Auckland.
"For the 13th case - and that person is currently in hospital - the link is still under investigation," he told reporters.
"It is the most recent case we have been informed of, and work is underway on that one."
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