Morning Report

A group of doctors has launched a petition urging the Government to raise the coronavirus alert level to its maximum of level four.

They say the Government has under-reacted to the threat by keeping the country on threat level two.

Kelvin Ward is one of the doctors behind the petition.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

As Cabinet ministers grapple to get a hold of the rapidly developing Covid-19 crisis, they will meet in a new way this morning - with half dialling in via video-conference to limit their physical contact with one another.

MPs from all parties will also meet this week to discuss how many of them should be required at Parliament at any given time.

Here's RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

The death toll has risen in the UK to 281 and there are now 5700 cases. 

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has just made the announcement. 

London correspondent Vincent McAvinney speaks to Corin Dann.

Fear is growing among healthcare workers who say hospitals have been stretched for months.

A nurse at Wellington Hospital, Katrina Hopkinson says as the Covid crisis escalates, front line staff become more at risk, and are worn down from a summer of over work.

She told RNZ reporter Charlotte Cook they are already feeling the effects of staff having to quarantine themselves after being in close contact with infected people.

An Auckland secondary school is to close for three days because a staff member has tested positive for Covid-19.

Marist College in Mt Albert has been contacting parents this evening to let them know the school will be closed for a deep clean for the next three days.

The principal of Marist College Raechelle Taulu told RNZ reporter Matthew Theunissen the staff member had now self isolated.

AFL's attempt to forge on with the Aussie Rules season despite the coronavirus outbreak lasted just one round before it was shut down in the wake of the Australian government's crackdown on non-essential travel.

Ten percent of workers are to stay home. Four Auckland schools close because of the coronavirus outbreak. Cabinet is urged to raise the national alert level to the highest status.

A Wairarapa gin distillery is trialling the production of hand sanitiser.

The rapid spread of Covid-19 has people clearing out shelves of hand sanitiser across the country and places like the Warehouse have begun to ration what's left.

Chris Reid is the owner of Reid + Reid Gin in Martinborough.