Coronavirus: New Zealand Going to Level 4 Lockdown (Maximum), “There Is Likely to Also be Some Military Presence”
March 23rd, 2020Via: New Zealand Herald:
At 11.59pm on Wednesday, New Zealand will go into an extreme and unprecedented nationwide lockdown.
All non-essential businesses will be closed and everyone will have to stay at home except for solitary exercise and visiting essential services.
Supermarkets will stay open throughout the four-week lockdown and the supply chain will stay running.
…
Compliance with the lockdown will be enforced by the police and the New Zealand Defence Force.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush, who is on the Government’s lockdown taskforce, said Kiwis could expect to see a strong police presence on the street.
There is likely to also be some military presence as well.
“I can understand that seeing an increase in presence by police and our military may not be what we’re used to in New Zealand, but they will be working together,” Ardern said.
Authorities have the power to enforce the lockdown if they see people flouting the rules.
Bush said: “It’s about education and encouragement, we don’t want to get into a place where we have to enforce these directions, but we will if required.”
