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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will begin 72 hours of Level 3 lockdown from midday today while the remainder of the country will enter Level 2 lockdown for three days.

Announced yesterday evening, the move follows the revelation that four members of a family in South Auckland had tested positive for COVID-19.

As a result of the new lockdown, there are fears that sporting events across the country, and immediately in Auckland, could face new restrictions.

In particular, the final of the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, due to be held at Auckland's Eden Park this Sunday, is in jeopardy if restrictions are not lifted.

Launched in mid-June, Super Rugby Aotearoa has drawn large crowds with more than 40,000 attending the opening round match at Auckland's Eden Park on 14th June between the Blues and the Hurricanes.

Level 3 restrictions prohibit major sports events while Level 2 caps public gatherings at 100 people.

While both of the reimposed lockdowns are due to expire before a weekend, public health officials expect the restrictions to be extended while the source of the outbreak is identified and contact tracing carried out.

For the past 102 days the only cases of COVID-19 in the country were of New Zealand returning from overseas, who are in managed isolation.

That allowed life to return almost to normal with gyms, aquatic centres, schools, workplaces, restaurants and bars open and with fans allowed to attend sports events without limits on numbers.

Super Rugby Aotearoa’s popularity saw the Crusaders' home stadium was filled to capacity last weekend when the Christchurch-based team beat the Highlanders to seal the title with a round remaining.

Sunday's match in Auckland between the Blues and Crusaders is also a sell-out and a crowd in excess of 43,000 is expected.

However, if the Level 3 lockdown is extended through the weekend, the match between the Blues and Crusaders cannot be played.

In a Twitter message late on Tuesday evening, New Zealand Rugby said it "is currently assessing the impact on rugby following the Government announcement that Auckland will tomorrow move to Alert Level 3 and the rest of NZ to Alert Level 2.

"NZR is in close & constant dialogue with Government and a further update will be given tomorrow (Wednesday)."

The lockdowns may also impact matches in New Zealand's professional netball championship.

As of today (12th August), the Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) provided the links below and committed to supplying ongoing updates.

EVANZ General Manager, Sally-Anne Coates advised “tis is devastating news for all our venues that are just beginning to get back up and running - but especially hard on our Auckland colleagues - kia kaha, our thoughts are with you all.

Level 3 - Auckland: means that venues are closed and only weddings, funerals and tangihanga with a maximum of 10 people in attendance can go ahead.

Level 2 - the Rest of New Zealand: gatherings of up to 100 can take place - with strict hygiene conditions observed. Remember, we did clarify that multiple or consecutive groups of 100 can be in your venue as long as they are kept separate.

For the latest information go to https://uniteforrecovery.govt.nz/ and www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov

Images: Auckland from the air (top) and fans at Auckland's Eden Park on 14th June as the Blues took on the Hurricanes in the new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition (below).

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