Jacinda Ardern weighing up end to New Zealands nationwide COVID-19 lockdown after new cases announced on Monday – 7NEWS.com.au

South Island mayors are eager to see their COVID-free island come out of lockdown.

On Monday, after health officials announced 20 new cases - all in Auckland - Jacinda Arderns cabinet was expected to meet to discuss the COVID-19 restrictions in force across the country.

Auckland is confirmed to stay in an extreme level four lockdown for another week.

But for the rest of the country, which has endured 20 days of lockdown so far, its an open question.

Many South Islanders believe they should get back many of their freedoms with a move to level two, which allows Kiwis to get back to work and school while retaining gathering caps and some mask-wearing.

There has not been a confirmed community case of COVID-19 on South Island since last November, when a nurse working in NZs quarantine system contracted the virus.

To have Wellington with, say, 14 active cases and the South Island with none, and for us all to be at the same level doesnt make a lot of sense to me, Westland Mayor Bruce Smith told Newshub.

The opposition has also called for South Island to shift to level two.

South Island people and businesses are being put under unnecessary stress for no good reason, National party leader Judith Collins said.

Unless the government is again keeping vital information from New Zealanders, theres no reason why the South Islands alert level shouldnt be dropped to level 2 with immediate effect.

Other mayors arent so sure.

Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan said he was a supporter of New Zealands worlds best elimination response.

Whoever is giving the government their advice over the last 18 months has done a great job, he told AAP.

Im not an epidemiologist. Ill happily go along with what they want.

Rachel Reese, Mayor of Nelson, said a move to level two would require rigorous controls at Auckland airport and the Cook Strait ferries.

There is a very strong push for the South Island to drop a level, she said.

Timarus mayor Nigel Bowen said his community also expected a shift.

By all accounts COVID is not in the South Island, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said the decision hinged on more than simply case numbers.

The absence of cases and positive wastewater testing, making sure that all those contacts, who had further testing to be done, that testing has been done, he said.

All of that matters.

Weve all got a job to do here, and well consider the advice that Dr Bloomfield gives us and make a decision.

Robertson, who grew up in Dunedin, said hed had plenty of feedback from South Islanders on a move closer to normality.

The South Island knows that its helping to contribute to New Zealands overall ability to stamp out this outbreak, he said.

Weve all got a job to do here, and well consider the advice that Dr Bloomfield gives us and make a decision.

Monday is the third day in a row New Zealand has reported 20 new cases, which takes the total outbreak to 821 cases.

There are 40 people with COVID-19 in hospital, and six in intensive care units.

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Jacinda Ardern weighing up end to New Zealands nationwide COVID-19 lockdown after new cases announced on Monday - 7NEWS.com.au