New Zealand’s South Island records first Covid cases in major city in over a year

Experts called for stronger protections between North and South Islands after news that one case had recently arrived from Auckland

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New Zealand's South Island has recorded its first Covid cases in a major city in over a year, with two cases detected in Christchurch.

Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins said at this stage there would be no snap lockdown for the city, the largest in the South Island, despite the fact one of the cases may have been infectious in the community for almost two weeks.