Coronavirus: What you need to know about today's big developments

Today's update [View Online]( [nzherald.co.nz]( Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield. Photo / Mark Mitchell Hi {NAME} This is a special evening newsletter recapping the latest news on the Covid-19 pandemic, with links to our full coverage. There were major developments today in the battle against the coronavirus crisis as the Government announced the rollout of routine testing for Covid-19, eight more cases were confirmed and Kiwis living overseas were urged to return home. Keep up to date with the latest advice on [travel, schools and self-isolation](. How widespread is Covid-19? • There are 8 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand - one in Christchurch, two in Waikato and another in Invercargill, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says. Four of the new cases are in Auckland. [That brings the total to 20 since the start of the outbreak.]( • Routine testing for Covid-19 across the country will be rolled out to provide more clues about whether there is community transmission, Health Minister David Clark says. [Read more on how it will become part of the normal routine]( for testing for the common flu. • Friends and relatives of some of New Zealand's approximately 43,000 retirement village residents are being temperature-checked, asked to sign health and travel declarations and stop non-essential visits. [Find out the latest on access to rest homes.]( • New Zealanders currently temporarily living overseas are being asked to move home as soon as possible, due to the restriction on the number of flights now operating. [Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says: "If you can get home, come home now."]( Life under Covid-19 and lessons we can learn • Coronavirus has brought with anxiety over finances, jobs and the wellbeing of our children and older loved ones. How do we cope with life under Covid-19? [As Cherie Howie reports, there is hope]( • In 1918, the great influenza pandemic killed thousands of New Zealanders in the space of just two months. Lessons learned from that crisis remain the bedrock of our pandemic response today. [Kirsty Johnston speaks to historian Geoffrey Rice]( author of the book Black November, about what 1918 can teach us in the age of coronavirus. • Amid the coronavirus outbreak various "theories" have been discussed - mostly online - on how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. [We put these to the test](. Around the world • Deportations from Australia have been put on hold due to the travel restrictions imposed either side of the Tasman during the Covid-19 pandemic. Australian Border Force has told New Zealand police that [planned removals up to March 30 have been postponed.]( • The European Union's space agency's earth-observation satellites have detected a [significant reduction in the pollutant nitrogen dioxide]( a byproduct of the use of diesel motors and other human activities, in northern Italy as the advance of the Covid-19 has led to drastic measures curtailing ordinary life. Thanks for joining us - we'll keep you updated. [App Store]( [Google Play]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( This message was sent to you by NZME Publishing Limited. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please [unsubscribe]( here [NZME] Private Bag 92 198, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142 Copyright 2020, NZME Publishing Limited nzherald.co.nz [Help & Support]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Contact Us]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( NZ Herald · 2 Graham Street · Auckland, Auk 1010 · New Zealand