Скачать или смотреть Covid-19 lockdown: Education Minister on school closures

The government says its decision to shut down the country for at least the next four weeks was 'monumental' - but one that was absolutely essential.

From tomorrow all bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries and other public places where people gather have to close.

Schools will be mostly closed from Tuesday, except for the children of essential workers like doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers and police.

But that will only be temporary - schools and early childhood centres will be closed completely from midnight Wednesday.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins told Checkpoint all the evidence says we should act now if we are to avoid the worst case scenario.

Mr Hipkins is reiterating the call to stay calm about panic shopping.