There are 89 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today. Of those, 83 in are Auckland, four in Waikato and two in Christchurch.

Christchurch will remain at alert level two despite the new cases whilst the Government has also announced the first steps in softening MIQ regulations for people entering New Zealand.

Of today's cases, 39 are linked - including 26 household contacts - and 50 remain unlinked, with investigations continuing to help determine their connection to the outbreak.

One further case in Auckland is an MIQ worker and is being investigated to determine whether it is a community or border-related case.

Minister Hipkins says there are no major exposure events related to the Christchurch cases and close contacts are self-isolating with the pair being moved to MIQ.

'Anyone with and Covid-19 like symptoms is encouraged to get a test straight away.”

People across Canterbury are urged to closely monitor the Ministry's locations of interest webpage, which is updated regularly.

Hipkins also announces that the stint needed in MIQ is set to reduce from the current 14 day period to seven from November 14.

Those returnees will be required to provide a negative Covid-19 test on day zero, three and six and a rapid test before leaving isolation. They will then be required to isolate at home for a short period of around three days. A PCR test will then be required on day nine and they must wait at home until the result is returned.

Hipkins says that the decision has been made with the fact Covid cases at the border have declined and non-New Zealand residents needing to be fully vaccinated to enter from November 1 in mind.

He says this will help 'rebalance the system” and allow kiwis the chance to reconnect with loved ones.

A one-way free quarantine option for visitors from low-risk nations, beginning with Pacific Island countries such as Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu from November 8.

A phased easing of border restrictions will see home isolation increasingly used for vaccinated overseas arrivals in the first quarter of 2022.

Auckland update

Auckland public health officials continue to urge residents in Redvale, Rosedale, New Lynn, Wiri, Drury, Manurewa and Henderson to get tested as soon as possible if they have even very mild symptoms that might be Covid-19, even if they are fully vaccinated.

This testing will help to provide assurance that any undetected spread of Covid-19 in these communities is identified as quickly as possible.

Testing is available at GP and Urgent Care clinics, with the locations of these can be listed on the Healthpoint website.

In Auckland, public health officials are now supporting 288 Covid-19 cases in the community to safely isolate at home.   

Waikato update

There are four new community cases in Waikato today - three in Hamilton and one in Ôtorohanga – and all are contacts of existing cases.

There are now just three cases in Waikato that remain unlinked epidemiologically but they are linked genomically.

Initial test results of two further Tokoroa-based contacts of the Blenheim case are negative. This follows negative initial results from two contacts in the house where the case stayed before travelling to Blenheim.

These four close contacts are isolating and will undergo further testing.

Yesterday in Waikato there were 2,550 tests processed and 3,402 vaccinations given.

Blenheim update

No further locations of interest or contacts have been identified in the Nelson and Marlborough regions.

Northland update

There are no new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report in Northland, with cases associated with this cluster remaining at seven.

Northlanders are urged to remain vigilant and get tested if they have any symptoms that could be Covid-19.

Testing and vaccination clinic locations across the region are listed on the Northland DHB website

Yesterday there were 792 Covid-19 tests completed in Northland and 1,442 vaccinations – 449 first doses and 993 second doses.

New cases identified at the border

Historical cases identified at the border