Morning Report

The New Zealand Olympic Committee supports the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics to 2021, the first such delay in the Games' 124-year modern history, as the coronavirus crisis wrecked the last international sporting showpiece still standing this year.

Top stories this morning... The country locks down at midnight tonight. The Tokyo Olympic Games are postponed. Unions accuse some employers of bad behaviour - we'll put that to the Finance Minister and there are warnings hospitals and medical centres will be short-staffed from tomorrow as schools shut and staff have no one to look after their children.

With countries around the world banning public gatherings in a bid to curtail the coronavirus, outings to see your favourite musicans are off the agenda for now.

More and more stars are streaming gigs for isolated fans, from John Legend and Chris Martin's piano ballads to DJ D-Nice's nine hour Club Quarantine dance party.

Those have been largely solo efforts until now. An orchestra in the Netherlands decided to stage a very unique performance, all while staying at home.

The musicians of the Rotterdam Philharmonica Orchestra used their instruments and their webcams to play the finale to Beethoven's Ninth Symphany from their bed and living rooms.

New Zealanders abroad scrambling to return home will still be able to enter the country after it goes into nationwide self-isolation tomorrow at midnight.

But some New Zealanders stuck in remote locations around the world are still desperately searching for a way home.

Katie Scotcher reports.

A huge spike in mobile calls yesterday led to phones across the country cutting out or not connecting at all.

In the wake of the Prime Minister's lockdown announcement, everyone wanted to talk to each other.

Telecommunications company Spark says the surge was beyond any level of calling ever seen in New Zealand.

Geoff Thorn is chief executive of the Telecommunications Forum, which represents carriers including Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees.

We've had a number of audience members text and email in asking for clarification on what classifies as an essential service.

Will you be able to get a warrant of fitness for your car - will mechanics be open to service your vehicle?

Yes, Any entity providing services to keep vehicles operational for essential work purposes like vehicle testing, mechanics and tyre services will remain open for business.

How about recycling? Is it going to be collected still?

Most councils have advisories on their websites about which services they're still taking. All are still collecting rubbish but some aren't collecting recycling - where a council is not taking away recyclables the advice is to stockpile your cans, plastic and cardboard as this kind of waste doesn't go off or start to smell like general waste.

What about ferries?

During the lockdown the Bluebridge ferry won't be open to passengers - only to freight. Last passenger sailing will leave Wellington at 1.30pm and Picton on 7pm on Wednesday 25 March.

Bluebridge confirmed that their crossings through until that time are fully booked.

The interislander advise they will do the same but no word yet on their final passenger sailing.

Hardware stores?

It's Radio New Zealand's understanding that Bunnings warehouse is seeking to be classed as an essential service during the lockdown period and remain open.

We're still waiting on confirmation on this from Bunnings.

Will specialist food stores like bakeries and butchers remain open?

There's been a lot of confusion about whether dairies will be able to remain open. A spokesperson from the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council said they were not covered by the organisation.

RNZ is seeking clarification from the Government on whether dairies will be allowed to remain open.

What about firewood?

We've had a lot of queries about access to firewood. RNZ has made enquiries with firewood suppliers - most have advisories about how they're handling the lockdown on their website and suggest people in all regions.

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

The Government is putting $4 billion extra into boosting support for businesses and workers.

A cap for wage subsidies in last week's rescue package has been removed which means all businesses are now eligible and the price of the package has jumped from $5 billion to $9.3 billion.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson says that will not the government's last word.

Richard Wagstaff is president of the Council of Trade Unions.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

People living in crowded or small houses are concerned about spending at least four weeks in lockdown.

RNZ reporter Meriana Johnsen asked people on the streets of Wellington how they were planning to handle a month in their homes.

Police have ordered passengers trying to get on he Bluebridge ferry from Picton to Wellington to disperse.

Pam Corbett is one of those trying to get on the ferry this morning.

She speaks to Corin Dann.