The number of people caught flouting the lockdown rules has more than doubled over Easter. Of the 1452 total breaches so far, 1018 were breaches under the Health Act, resulting in 132 prosecutions, 864 warnings, and 22 youth referrals. The alert level 4 lockdown was enforced as of midnight March 25, and police were out in force over Easter weekend at national highways checkpoints questioning motorists about their destinations. Since March 26, much has been made of police powers and discretion when it comes to what people can and cannot do under the lockdown rules. Police conducted more than 500 road checkpoints across the country to ensure people were following the rules and only undertaking essential travel over the long weekend.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 14, 2020 02:48 UTC