Kia ora John,

After a week of major announcements regarding COVID-19, I wanted to send an email to update you all on the wide-ranging actions this Government has taken to further protect the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders and slow the virus in New Zealand. As a warning, it’s a bit of a long one! 

Our focus is on keeping Kiwis healthy, keeping Kiwis in work and keeping Kiwi businesses going. That’s why this Government is pulling out all the stops to tackle the impacts of this global pandemic:

1. We have increased New Zealand’s border restrictions.This now means that anyone entering New Zealand from any country aside from the Pacific Islands is required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. This decision will mean New Zealand will have some of the widest-ranging and toughest border restrictions in the world.
   
   
2. We have announced the $12.1 billion COVID-19 Economic Response Package to protect New Zealanders from the worst impacts of the virus and help people to keep their jobs. This is not a one-off package, it is just the beginning.
   
   So far, this includes:
   
   
   • $5.1 billion in wage subsidies for affected businesses in all sectors and regions
   • Initial $500 million boost for health
   • $126 million in COVID-19 leave and self-isolation support
   • $2.8 billion income support package for our most vulnerable, including a permanent $25 per week benefit increase and a doubling of the Winter Energy Payment for 2020
   • $100 million redeployment package
   • $2.8 billion in business tax changes to free up cash flow
   • $600 million initial aviation support package
     
     
3. This COVID-19 Economic Response Package builds on the support we’re already rolling out, including practical assistance for workers who need to move into other jobs, and rapid response teams to provide expert support to affected employers and workers.
   
   
4. We’ve also announced a temporary ban on all cruise ships coming into New Zealand. This has been in place since Sunday and will be in place until at least 30 June 2020.
   
   
5. We are also encouraging New Zealanders to avoid all non-essential travel overseas. This helps reduce the risk of a New Zealander bringing COVID-19 back with them.

New border restrictions apply to people, not products. We will be working to ensure we keep freight routes open for imports and exports - so there’s no need to rush out and stock up at the supermarket.

This is a rapidly evolving global situation, and protecting New Zealanders’ health and stopping the spread of this virus is our number one focus - that is why we must go hard, and go early, and do everything we can to reduce the threat of transmission of COVID-19 in New Zealand.

We are resilient, hardy people, but our journey will depend on how we work together. We are taking every measure we need as a Government, and we ask that you do too.

So, here’s my request to New Zealanders:

1) Wash your hands.

2) If you don’t need to travel overseas, then don’t. 

3) Wash your hands.

4) If you’re sick, stay home.

5) If you sneeze, do it into your elbow.

6) Wash your hands.

7) Stop handshakes, hugs, and hongi - I know this is counter to who we are as a nation, but the best thing we can do right now to show love and affection to one another, is to switch to the East Coast wave.

8) Please be mindful of the older citizens in your life. Check-in on them, but if you’re sick, keep your distance

The Ministry of Health is providing up to date information and advice on COVID-19, and I encourage people to check out their website for all the latest information and advice.

We all have a role to play during this time. Look out for your neighbours, look out for your family. Look out for your friends. I know as a country we will meet this challenge, and meet it together.

Nga mihi,

Jacinda