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Tēnā koe i tēnei ahiahi,

It's been another incredibly dramatic day. No mucking about, here's the synopsis:

We have moved to level 3 but will be at level 4 and in self-isolation within 48 hours. At that point, all except essential services will be shut for at least four weeks.
36 new cases were confirmed.
The Government is boosting its business support package to more than $9 billion.

We're going to keep asking and answering as many questions as we can for you. As part of that, today w e launched our daily Covid-19 podcast. Get involved by downloading our VoxPop app and sending an audio message.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or send me a message. Help us reach more New Zealanders by sharing the sign up for this newsletter.

Finally, let's teach this virus a lesson by being the best self-isolaters we can. If it can't get to you, you can't pass it on. It's that simple.

News snapshot

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the impending lockdown, saying it would "literally save lives, thousands of lives".

Ms Ardern said we must prepare to go into self-isolation now to "break the chain" of community transmission.

Government officials then further detailed how the self-isolation period would work.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said most of the new cases were related to overseas travel. However, there were still two cases - in the Wairarapa and Auckland - that did not appear to be.

Experts continued to warn that we needed to do as much as possible to stop Covid-19 immediately.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson attempted to tend to the economic symptoms with an expansion of the Government's support for businesses and the self-employed. He hinted there was more to come, which will be music to the ears of those suggesting a universal basic income.

The Reserve Bank revealed it was going to get started on a big quantitative easing programme, worth $30 billion. Nothing could soothe the sharemarket though, the NZX having its worst fall since the 1987 crash.

I don't know about you, but after all of that I really need some light relief. This is how one lion-hearted Kiwi boy took in today's news. I admire his approach.

Do keep reading to the bottom if you need further cheering up.

Helping hand

Rinse and repeat. I'll probably be including this link to the official Covid-19 site often for the foreseeable future.

An old friend and fellow journalist, who is based in Britain, wrote this heartfelt and timely piece about isolation and mental illness.

And if you still doubt the efficacy of soap in helping combat the virus 's spread, this will sort you out.

Mamma mia!

Italy's mayors have apparently started to rise up in anger at residents who continue to ignore requests to stay inside. Beware, this clip contains strong language and hand gestures.

Also expressing himself, but in a more polite way, this Frenchman is a man after my own heart. He spent more than six hours running a marathon on his 7m-long balcony as a thank you to healthcare workers.

Even more charming, Sally and Ken from Penzance, England, pictured below, are in self isolation and combining beautifully. Both are in their 80s and have dementia but she loves to play the piano - without sheet music - and he loves to dance.

Take inspiration dear readers.

Last week I asked for you to send in your favourite uplifting tracks. I have started this catchily-named Spotify playlist to share your gems. Keep sending me your tracks.

Let's end with a shameless plug for something I wrote about working from home.

Remember to be your best self. Kia Kaha.

See all RNZ's Covid-19 news
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Tēnā koe i tēnei ahiahi,

News snapshot

Helping hand

﻿Mamma mia!

Mamma mia!