Morning Report

There are currently 205 Covid-19 cases in the country, with fifty new cases yesterday.

The police have the power to order any person to stop any activity that contributes to the spread of Covid-19 and can call on the military for support.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush speaks to Susie Ferguson.

New Zealand is waking up to a morning like no other in its history - people are confined to their homes, everything but essential services are shut.

The Prime Minister's expectation of what people should do is clear.

The lockdown took effect at midnight.

We are not alone. New figures out suggest a quarter of the world is in lockdown.

Wherever you slept last night, that will be your bed for at least the next four weeks as the Government imposes stringent measures in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

It has declared a state of emergency, giving it and civil defence sweeping powers to help enforce Alert Level Four.

Opposition leader Simon Bridges is backing the Government.

On Auckland's streets last night people were anxious about what lies ahead.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

With New Zealanders still racing to get home from overseas many know they'll be headed straight into quarantine when they land.

The Prime Minister says she estimates around 10,000 could be coming back over the next month.

They will be screened at the border, and anyone who either shows symptoms, or has no plan to isolate themselves will be taken to a hotel or the military base at Whangaparaoa for 14 days.

Rochelle Boreham is on her way back to Wellington from Edinburgh, where she was living for the past year.

Tales of cancellations, delays and long hours in airport terminals have been pouring in over the past week, and Boreham says her past few days have been no different.

Her plane is due to land at 9am, but she has no plans to see her family any time soon.

New Zealanders are waking up to a new reality - the country in isolation, to protect tens of thousands of New Zealanders from an invisible enemy - Covid-19.

As of midnight, everyone apart from essential workers must now stay at home.

Yesterday the government declared a state of emergency, giving it and civil defence sweeping powers to help enforce alert level four and contain the virus.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she doesn't underestimate the gravity of what New Zealanders are being asked to do - but warns breaking the rules could risk killing someone close to you.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

Tourists have been driving around in cars to find somewhere to stay as New Zealand locks down.

Officials say wherever you spent last night is the place you need to stay during the lockdown.

Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

An Auckland family doctor is opting to send her children away for the lockdown to keep them safe while she's on the Covid-19 frontline.

Marcia Wallace's husband is a primary school teacher so is able to take them away to stay with family.

Several doctors have told RNZ they've been struggling to sort childcare in time.

Others, like Dr Wallace, worry about passing on the disease.

She spoke to RNZ health correspondent Rowan Quinn.

Many New Zealanders were yesterday doing their last-minute grocery shop or tracking down the cable that will allow them to work from home.

Most shops had already shut down, except for supermarkets, liquor stores and a few retailers.

Matthew Theunissen took a trip around Auckland and spoke to people - at a distance of two metres or more - about their last day before their big month in.