Two of the three new Covid-19 cases that sent the blockade of Auckland in New Zealand are confirmed to be a variant of the virus first detected in the UK.
The three local Covid-19 cases announced on Sunday are a mother, father and daughter from the same household in South Auckland, the director general of health, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, told a news conference on Sunday. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said one of the trio was working in a laundry facility for airlines.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff told CNN that hiring the person could be the “connection” to the virus.
These cases have led authorities to adopt a three-day blockade for the whole of Auckland, a city of about 1.5 million inhabitants and the largest population center in the country, starting Sunday at 23:59
“We were dealing with more transmissible versions, mutations of Covid-19. We want to be very careful. So that’s why we took this very cautious approach,” Ardern said. “What we want people to do is stay home. And so for the next 72 hours, if you’re in Auckland, please stay home.”
Goff said New Zealand found the success of the virus when authorities “go strong and go earlier”.
“The government made the decision, in consultation with us in Auckland, that we should respond in the same way this time,” he said. “So, after a beautiful weekend watching American Cup yachts and people enjoying the sun, beaches and parks and festivals, we are suddenly stuck for 72 hours.”
Goff said 6,000 to 7,000 people will now be tested for the virus, and if those tests come back clean, authorities could lift the new stringent measures.
No new cases were reported on Monday, the country’s health ministry said in a statement