Morning Report

Blood tests are the next step in tracking Covid-19 throughout the community.

While that technology isn't available yet - it is key to identifying people who have had the disease without knowing it.

Dr Nikki Moreland, an immunologist, spoke to Charlotte Cook, about antibody or serology testing, and what it can actually do.

Principals are worried a partial reopening of schools under Alert Level 3 will be hard to manage and create too much work for their teachers.

The government says people who return to work when the level is relaxed will need to be able to send children under the age of 14 to school.

It says nobody will be checking if parents are sending children to school even though they are working from home. .

The principal of Otorohanga College, Traci Liddall, told RNZ's education correspondent, John Gerritsen, she can't see a partial reopening going well.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

Around three quarters of the people seeking welfare support in the Queenstown Lakes district are migrant workers and foreign nationals.

The Emergency Operations Centre led by the Queenstown Lakes District Council has already received more than 5000 welfare requests since the lockdown began.

More than $380,000 in food vouchers has already been handed out to residents and foreign nationals.

Local welfare manager Simon Battrick says charities would usually expect to hand out roughly 10 to 15 food parcels a week.

He told RNZ reporter Tess Brunton the demand is unlike anything they've ever dealt with.

Courier drivers could be a lot busier next week if the country moves to level three.

The Prime Minister yesterday revealed details of what life would look like at Alert Level 3, including a total lifting of restrictions around deliveries.

With retail shops remaining closed, online shopping and goods delivered to your door is likely to be the only game in town.

Then there are takeaway outlets and restaurants which, while remaining closed for sit down meals, are still able to send food out through the likes of Uber Eats.

The head of Aramex, formerly Fastway Couriers, Scott Jenyns, says it should be a lot busier.

ACT Leader David Seymour is questioning why the the retail sector will still face such heavy restrictions under Alert Level 3.

The government has outlined what businesses and the public can expect under the lower level, ahead of a decision being made on Monday whether to lift the Alert Level 4 lockdown.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says under level three public facing bars, restaurants, cafes, malls and retail stores will remain closed.

Food delivery, drive-through, online shopping and click and collect can begin.

David Seymour told political reporter Charlie Dreaver the announcement to broaden from just essential businesses is encouraging, with the exception of retail.

Top stories this morning... As the lockdown decision looms, businesses are frantically trying to work out how they will operate under level 3 Principals are warning a partial reopening of schools could be a shambles Insurers are being urged to cut car insurance premiums as payouts fall during the pandemic.

Former Labour Cabinet Minister John Tamihere and iwi leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer are the new co-leaders of the Māori Party.

The party has been rebuilding after losing its two MPs at the 2017 election.

Tamihere, the chief executive of the Waipareira Trust who campaigned unsuccessfully for the Auckland Mayoralty last year, will stand against the Labour incumbent Peeni Henare in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ms Ngarewa-Packer, who heads Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui and has been at the forefront of seabed mining protests in Taranaki, will stand in Te Tai Hauāuru.

Political commentator and former Cabinet Minister Sandra Lee speaks to Corin Dann.

One New Zealander in India is considering turning down the offer of a government charter flight to get his family home because it would put him in too much debt.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed on Sunday the Government's in discussions to bring stranded Kiwis home from India.

Peters says a seat on the flights will be priced similarly to the one out of Peru, which cost more than $5000 per person. Jordan Bond reports.