Morning Report

Supermarkets across the country were frantic yesterday as people raided the shelves for food and supplies.

Countdown and Foodstuffs have urged customers to shop normally.

Kiri Hannafin represents Countdown.

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Welcome to the beginning of a new normal, as the country prepares to enter quarantine for at least a month.

Today, we're at Covid 19 Alert Level Three. At this level, many shops and businesses are required to close, mass gatherings are banned, public venues including cinemas, libraries, restaurants and bars will be shut and there'll be no school for most children.

People are urged not to panic buy - with supermarkets asking them to shop as usual, so they can keep up with demand.

Then, at midnight tomorrow, we will move into Covid 19 Alert Level Four - the highest level - when people will be instructed to stay at home.

All but essential businesses, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and clinics, will be closed and people only allowed to venture out for fresh air so long as they don't meet up with others.

This morning, a day and a half before the most significant restrictions placed on New Zealanders in modern history take effect - we take stock of how the community is faring.

RNZ reporters have hit the streets to see if anyone is still out and about.

Jordan Bond is in Central Auckland and Eva Corlett outside the Newtown Countdown in Wellington.

The pair speaks to Susie Ferguson.

The International Olympic Committee has decided to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Games because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Already reeling before the announcement of a nationwide lockdown some hospitality businesses are now worried about their long-term viability.

Faced with shutting their doors for at least four weeks they are now relying on the Government bailout that some say they are having trouble accessing.

RNZ reporter Robin Martin has more.

We have been inundated with questions about what is an essential service and what will stay open.

There's more open than you'd think with there being quite a few jobs and services that people need for a society to still function.

In the health sector; Hospitals, and General Practitioners will remain open, as will blood donation centres. 

You'll still get mail and courier drivers will still deliver packages. That of course depends on internet businesses continuing to operate, many will not. 

At no point during the lockdown will supermarkets close - but as for dairies around the country it depends on the size of the business if they're providing food to small communities. 

If you don't have a car to get your food for the week there's some good news; taxis and ride share services like Uber will continue operating. 

If you do have a car you'll still be able to fuel up at a petrol station too. 

If the internet is down or you don't have internet banking you'll still be able to go to a cash machine or into a bank to withdraw money. 

Rubbish will still be collected - you won't have to suffer any smelly buildup of rubbish bags outside your house like it's a student flat. But recycling that's another issue with some councils stopping that. 

The primary sector is considered an essential service. This includes the seafood industry, the agricultural sector including meat and dairy processors as well as orchardists and viticultralists. 

Vets and other support services that are needed to maintain animal health and keep crops growing will also remain open.

As for students - they'll still get their StudyLink payments even with Univeristies closed down. 

If you hurt yourself at anytime during the lockdown and need an ambulance or a paramedic they're all still operating - likewise if you commit a crime police are still out on the streets.

It's the same story for the fire service.

They say justice never sleeps - so if you're arrested during the lockdown judges will still be presiding in courts across the country. 

As for business, if you own one and are unsure you're allowed to stay open it again boils to what's actually needed.

Accomodation providers for essential workers and people who need to be quarantined are still open. As are construction workers who are needed to maintain critical infrastructure like plumbing and electricity. 

Telecommunications and internet providers, transport companies, food packaging and sitribution all fit the bill as "essential" too.

If you thought you'd head into the bush, bad news. The Department of Conservation have closed ALL their hutts, all the great walks and all of their campgrounds.

As for Freedom Campers and motorhome owners - of which there a lot in New Zealand - the NZMCA have closed their member parks. 

If you're in a campervan or are camping your way around New Zealand you will need to check the local council guidelines in the district you're in about whether you can camp.

All schools will be closed from today except for the children of essential workers such as doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers and police.

From Thursday they will be closed full stop.

Some schools had already shut their doors after confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus linked to staff and students.

Richard Dykes is principal of Glendowie College and president of the Auckland Secondary Principals Association.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

After making an emergency cut to the Official Cash Rate last week to an all-time low of 0.25percent, the Reserve Bank is taking further steps to cushion the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Yesterday the bank said it will spend up to $30 billion buying government bonds - a move economists call "quantitative easing" but which is commonly referred to as "printing money".

The bank's governor is Adrian Orr. He speaks to Corin Dann.

The Ministry of Health has surveyed intensive care units and says it can more than triple their capacity immediately.

However, the units themselves report widespread understaffing and workers have spoken of being burnt out.

Phil Pennington reports.

New Zealand is heading into lockdown.

As of Tuesday it is level three - mass gatherings are banned, public venues including cinemas, libraries, restaurants and bars will be shut and there'll be no school for most children.

On Wednesday night it will become level four - all but essential businesses will be closed and people must stay at home, allowed to venture out for fresh air so long as they don't meet up with others.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to Corin Dann.

Health officials say modelling shows that going into lockdown and reducing person to person contact over the next few weeks will slow the spread of coronavirus.

The number of confirmed cases in New Zealand is now 102.

Professor Shaun Hendy, from Auckland University, is a physicist who specialises in modelling complex systems and networks.