New Zealand Found 4 New COVID-19 Cases & Raised Restrictions Across The Whole Country

It only took four new confirmed cases for New Zealand's COVID-19 restrictions to get raised across the country.

In a statement released on Sunday, February 14, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country has learned lessons about how to successfully treat COVID-19 "flare-ups."

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Mass gatherings will need to be limited to 100 people. Jacinda Ardern

Officials confirmed four new cases of COVID-19 on February 14, with three of the cases coming from a single household in Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city.

As a result, the city of Auckland has moved into "Level 3" and has closed movie theatres, food courts, and swimming pools, and gatherings over 10 are prohibited for the most part. 

Restrictions around the rest of the country have been raised to "Level 2," too. As of February 14, mass gatherings can't have over 100 people attending and people have to wear masks on public transit, among other rules.

The restrictions will be in place until Wednesday, February 17, though officials say they'll be reviewing the rules every day and providing updates.

As of February 14, New Zealand had 47 active COVID-19 cases, but 44 of those were in managed isolation and quarantine.

"The most important lessons we’ve learned... is the need to go hard and go early to avoid the risk of a wider outbreak and longer periods of restrictions," said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a statement.

"I’m asking New Zealanders to continue to be strong and be kind. I know we all feel the same way when this happens — not again," she said.

"But remember, we have been here before, that means we know how to get out of this – together."