Checkpoint for Friday 14 August 2020

5:07 PM.Community transmission of Covid-19 has now spread beyond Auckland, with two new cases in Tokoroa.

As of today, there are 12 new cases in total and one probable case, meaning there are now 30 cases of… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.Cabinet has been meeting since 3pm on Friday. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch is in Parliament with the latest. Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.There is little to no optimism from Aucklanders that the city will return to Alert Level 2 restrictions at midnight.

The city - and the rest of the country - is anxiously waiting on the government's… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.The cluster of community Covid-19 case has grown to 30, with 12 new confirmed cases and one probable.

And it's now spread outside of Auckland. Health officials are still treating it as a single… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio

5:31 PM.Auckland will remain in alert level three for a full two weeks, with the government announcing that the country will remain at current Covid-19 alert levels for 12 more days.

Prime Minister Jacinda… Read more Video, Audio

6:04 PM.Finance Minister Grant Robertson explains the wage subsidy extension, as Auckland and New Zealand remain in alert levels three and two until August 26. Read more Video, Audio

6:06 PM.RNZ health correspondent Rowan Quinn joins Lisa Owen in the studio to discuss the government decision to keep Auckland in alert level two and New Zealand in alert level three until August 26. Read more Video, Audio

6:11 PM.Aucklanders continue to flock to Covid-19 testing centres across the city. Checkpoint reporter Nita Blake-Persen is at Eden Park where a new testing centre was set up today and joins Lisa Owen with… Read more Video, Audio

6:15 PM.The Health Minister has given assurances that most front-line border staff will have been tested for Covid-19 by the end of today.

There's been confusion over testing of staff who work at the borders… Read more Audio

6:15 PM.Checkpoint reporter Nick Truebridge has just been to a media conference with Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. Goff has told media the city will beat Covid-19 again. But we can't continue to lockdown… Read more Video, Audio

6:23 PM.Covid-19 alert level three is to continue in Auckland for another 12 days at least. How will this affect schools? Tim O'Connor is the Headmaster at Auckland Grammar and joins Lisa Owen to discuss the… Read more Video, Audio

6:32 PM.Further vital financial support will be provided to businesses affected by the Covid-19 restrictions.

The wage subsidy and mortgage deferral scheme will be extended and Covid-19 sick leave will be… Read more Video, Audio

6:40 PM.Shops in Auckland will only be able to stay open if they can demonstrate that they are complying with public health protocols under level three - things like click and collect, so that there's no… Read more Audio

6:44 PM.Auckland will remain in alert level three lockdown until midnight on Wednesday 26 August.

The rest of the country, including the Waikato, will remain in level two for the same period. That's an… Read more Audio

6:48 PM.Across the Tasman Victoria has recorded another 372 new cases of coronavirus today - a jump of almost 100 on yesterday's lowest figure for weeks.

The state also reported 14 more deaths including a… Read more Audio

6:50 PM.Auckland will remain in level three lockdown until midnight on Wednesday 26 August.

The rest of the country, including the Waikato, will remain in level two for the same period. That's an additional… Read more Video, Audio

6:54 PM.The government's announcement on Covid-19 Alert Levels has had flow on effects for sporting events.

The final round of Super Rugby Aotearoa was due to be played this weekend and the ANZ Premiership… Read more Video, Audio