There are no new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand today.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield provided an update on the COVID-19 situation in New Zealand this afternoon.

The number of confirmed and probable cases remains at 1497.

There have been no further deaths. Two people are in hospital, but neither is in ICU.

There are 12 people that have recovered since yesterday. Ashley says 93 per cent of the cases in New Zealand have now recovered.

There are still 16 clusters, four of which have now closed.

Ashley acknowledged New Zealand's hard-working nurses on International Nurses Day.

He discussed how hospital visits will work under alert level two restrictions.

'On the ground, visits are managed by DHBs.”

In high-risk areas, including emergency departments, intensive care and maternity wards, there can only be one visitor at a time, and one visit per day.

In other parts of the hospital there can only be one visitor at a time, but more than one person is able to visit during the day.

People will be able to enter their businesses to prepare for the move to level two on Thursday. Ashley says he has issued an updated amended order under the Health Act.

Jacinda says those needing to use public transport to get to work at alert level 2 should be vigilant.

"Plan your trip, keep your distance and track your journey," she says.

She encourages people to discuss the matter with thier workplace.

Earlier: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will provide an update on the COVID-19 situation in New Zealand this afternoon.

The media update will be live from 1pm.

The country will move to alert level 2 at 11.59pm on Wednesday night.

New Zealand retail, hospitality and public spaces will be able to reopen on Thursday, May 14.

Cabinet has agreed on a staggered move to level 2 - with children returning to school and early childhood centres next Monday, May 18.

Bars will be able to open under strict requirements on Thursday, May 21.

Jacinda says under alert level 2, all social gatherings will be restricted to 10 people.

The Ministry of Health reported three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday.

Two cases were linked to the St Margaret's Hospital & Rest Home in Auckland. The individuals are both nurses at Waitakere Hospital.

The third case is a person who has travelled back from overseas, so is an imported case.

Yesterday, New Zealand's combined total of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases was 1,497.

1386 people were reported as having recovered from COVID-19. This is 93 per cent of all confirmed and probable cases.