New Zealand locks down borders to outsiders

New Zealand's borders will be closed to everyone but citizens and residents from tonight, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.

Ardern said there were significant outbreaks in other countries, even though there was no evidence of community transmission in New Zealand, the New Zealand Herald reports. All confirmed coronavirus cases in New Zealand related to overseas travel, she said.

"We need to continue to make further decisions and further restrictions."

From 11:59pm, New Zealand borders will be closed to all non-residents and non-New Zealand citizens due to Covid-19 concerns, Ardern said.

New Zealand citizens and permanent residents will be able to return, and that includes the children and partners of citizens and permanent residents.

At no time in New Zealand's history has a power like this been used," she said, but health concerns and slowing the spread of Covid-19 was the most important task at the moment.

"That is how we help our jobs and economy too."