Morning Report

Tens of thousands of people may be left stranded in New Zealand as popular transit airports start to close their doors.

Singapore's Changi Airport banned all transiting visitors yesterday while flights transiting through Dubai are dwindling.

Mercy flights are being considered as the government and tourism industry work together to support those left stranded in the wake of Covid-19.

Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

There's been some confusion about what constitutes an essential service during the four week lockdown and which shops people will still be able to go.

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.

You'll still get mail and courier drivers will still deliver packages - in case you forgot to stock up on books, movies or other stuff to keep you entertained.

But 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.

Recycling is another issue with some councils stopping that.

As for students - they'll still get their StudyLink payments even with universities 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 distribution all fit the bill as "essential" too.

In the health sector; hospitals, and general practitioners will remain open, as will blood donation centres.

What many people will care most about though; if your family pet gets sick, vets are considered an essential service and can stay open.

Supermarkets say they'll be open every single day - today and for the next four weeks.

The Government says there will be plenty of food to go around as long as people don't stockpile, and 'shop like normal'. 

Those pleas appeared to be widely ignored in hours after yesterday's lockdown announcement.

RNZ reporter Katie Todd visited three Moorhouse Avenue supermarkets in Christchurch, to hear - from a distance - why shoppers were arriving in droves.

The NRL season has been suspended due to the coronavirus.

A nation in self-isolation. We'll talk to the Prime Minister. Schools begin their shut down. Essential services promise they'll get people through. We'll tell you exactly what will stay open.

Some of the country's high profile actors are now out of a job.

The arts, theatre and television industry has been especially hard-hit by the sudden economic downturn linked to Covid-19.

Actor and director Jennifer Ward-Lealand says while Creative New Zealand's emergency response package to support artists, groups and organisations is welcome, it won't help the contracts that were being drafted, and which are now falling like dominoes.

Tracy Neal has the story.

New Zealanders who have lost their jobs across the ditch are looking to move back home.

Australia won't be giving government support to Kiwi who are living and working there.

Advocate for New Zealanders in Australia David Faulkner says it's forcing many to jump ship to get government support as Covid-19 starts to bite.

More iwi are planning to close their tribal borders in the fight against Covid-19, despite warnings from police doing so is illegal. 

Eastern Bay of Plenty iwi Te Whānau ā Apanui announced at the weekend it would not let outsiders, including tourists, inside the rohe from Wednesday.

Now iwi in other areas are mobilising to do the same. 

Te Aniwa Hurihanganui reports.

Doctors at Whangarei Hospital are worried about the safety of some patients due to the poor state of the buildings.

Documents shared with Insight reveal all of Northland's public hospitals are in an advanced state of deterioration.

The DHB's billion-dollar rebuild plan that it's been working on for five years, has been knocked back.

The first-ever government stocktake of public health assets shows it will cost billions to fix similar problems nationwide.

Phil Pennington reports.

Agencies are preparing for an increase in domestic violence as more people are isolated at home due to Covid-19.

Women's Refuge is working with the government to make sure women will still be able to access help. But as people become unwell, finding shelter for everyone will be more difficult than ever.

Dr Ang Jury is chief executive of Women's Refuge.

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.