Dealers can operate as normal at level one

Dealerships and other automotive businesses will be able to do away with social distancing and all current Covid-19 rules when the country moves to alert level one.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the lowest alert level will be a return to a “normal routine” and Cabinet is set to consider getting rid of most of the coronavirus restrictions on June 8.

She says New Zealand is “ahead of schedule” in its fight against the disease and the country may move to level one by late evening on June 10, if the usual 48-hour notice period was given.

At level one, all restrictions on businesses will be lifted and there will no longer be a need for distancing measures in shops or on public transport.

However, Ardern says new behaviours will need to be adopted to help manage any future coronavirus cases, such as good hand hygiene and enhanced contact tracing, plus strict border controls will remain in place.

She has also outlined a list of “golden rules” for people to follow at level one and says it is Cabinet’s “strong desire” to drop a level as fast, and as safe, as possible.

“Once we reach level one, it will mean that all the hard work and sacrifice at levels four, three and two has paid off,” she said on June 3.

“Our goal of breaking the chain of transmission and stopping community outbreak has been achieved for now … and the job of economic recovery will be able to start faster.”

Ardern said there was still scientific concern about asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19 and that by June 8 the country would have experienced just two weeks in which gatherings of 100 had been allowed, and four weeks of being in level two.

The prime minister had previously said she would consider level two “settings” on June 8, with a move to level one being considered no later than June 22.

As of June 3, New Zealand had seen 1,504 cases of Covid-19 and 22 deaths. Globally there has been more than six million people hit by the virus and the death toll is nearly 379,000.

Golden rules of alert level one

• If you're sick, stay home.
• If you have cold flu symptoms call your doctor.
• Wash your hands.
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow and disinfect surfaces.
• Isolate immediately if told so by authorities.
• If you have underlying conditions, talk with your GP about precautions.
• Keep track of where you've been.
• Businesses should help.
• Stay vigilant.
• Be kind to others and to yourself.