Morning Report

Professor Michael Baker has been one of the leading voices from the scientific community, calling for strong action to combat Covid-19.

The professor of Public Health at the University of Otago and other health professionals urged the government to implement a lockdown to break the chain of transmission.

But now we've got one - what could we expect to see?

Dr Baker speaks to Corin Dann.

The New Zealand Defence Force says it's well-prepared and ready to assist in the response to Covid-19.

It already has people with specialist skills working with government agencies. Further assistance could include providing transport, and logistics expertise to other government agencies.

Commander of Joint Forces, Rear Admiral Jim Gilmore, speaks to Susie Ferguson

A major supplier of protective gowns has told RNZ demand has gone through the roof since the lockdown was announced on Monday it's having trouble finding 500,000 gowns requested by the Ministry of Health.

This is despite Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield yesterday saying that personal protective equipment, or PPE, supplies are plentiful and steady and distribution is being made "rock solid".

Dr Bloomfield speaks to Corin Dann.

The supply of protective gowns for medical workers at the Covid-19 frontline appears to be in turmoil.

A major supplier has told RNZ demand has gone through the roof since the lockdown was announced on Monday and the Health Ministry has just asked it to urgently find half a million gowns.

It says it can't though because supply is badly disrupted.

This is despite Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield yesterday saying that personal protective equipment, or PPE, supplies are plentiful and steady and distribution is being made "rock solid".

Phil Pennington is following this.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The lockdown is creating an unfortunate predicament for the country's truck drivers, they're struggling to find places to use the toilet.

Bakeries and cafes are closed while service stations are only opening their night pay windows, so truckies are having to drive long distances before they can relive themselves.

RNZ reporter Phil Pennington spoke to driver Craig McCauley from Sollys Freight in Golden Bay.

The number of Coronavirus deaths in Italy has now risen above seven-and-a-half thousand - but there are growing signs that the pace of infections is slowing, particularly in the north, the epicentre of the virus.

There are, however, growing concerns about rising figures in Rome and the south.

Rome correspondent Josephine McKenna speaks to Corin Dann.

A legal expert says there's a small chance the Christchurch mosque attacks shooter could be deported to serve his sentence in Australia.

After a surprise admission of guilt yesterday, Brenton Tarrant will be sentenced - on a date to be determined - for 51 murder charges, 40 attempted murder charges and one of engaging in a terrorist act.

University of Waikato professor of law Alexander Gillespie told our reporter Katie Todd he's ninety percent sure Tarrant will do his time in New Zealand.

He says some countries have a policy allowing their citizens who are in prison elsewhere in the world, to be transferred back home - and Australia is one of them.

Frontline health workers are angry they aren't getting the protection they say they need to keep themselves, and their patients safe.

A major supplier of medical gowns has told RNZ demand has rocketed since the lockdown and the Ministry has asked it to urgently find hundreds of thousands of the protective garments.

Community health workers, nurses and doctors across the country are demanding masks, gloves and gowns as the number of Covid-19 cases climbs to 283.

Charlotte Cook reports.

News from the rural and farming sector.