The Guardian reports that Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, has deferred the dissolution of the country’s Parliament until Monday due to the Covid-19 outbreak, with a reassessment due then.
Parliament was due to dissolve today at 11am ahead of an election scheduled for 19 September.
When Parliament is dissolved, Cabinet retains a mandate to make decisions, but it means the full Parliament cannot be convened.
Officials are hoping a strict lockdown of the largest city, Auckland, for the next three days will isolate the source of the new outbreak.