COVID-19

Pay cuts 'inevitable' for New Zealand's top All Blacks

With the coronavirus alert level ramping up from level two to three on Monday and moving to level four from midnight Wednesday, the already tenuous Super Rugby replacement competition has been put on indefinite hold, putting further economic pressure on NZ Rugby.

The confirmation today from finance minister Grant Robertson that the Covid-19 financial relief package would be extended to incorporated societies means NZ Rugby will be eligible for a payout but Robinson said tonight what that looked like remained to be seen.

Vanuatu island under lockdown after cruise ship visit

The Daily Post reports that a passenger reportedly infected while onboard the cruise ship, Voyager of the Seas, visited the island.

The Island, a popular tourist destination, and the small, adjoining Mystery Island, are now "under temporary lockdown".

Vanuatu's Coronavirus Taskforce said it was working with cruise company South Seas and harbour authorities to check if the Voyager of the Seas was turned away by another country before berthing at Mystery Island.

Vanuatu test comes back negative

Tests were sent to a laboratory in New Caledonia.

According to authorities, should a case be detected in Vanuatu, the Ministry of Health Emergency Medical Team are on standby with dedicated quarantine facilities in Port Vila and Luganville, and a thorough response plan is ready should it be required.

All cross-border government agencies and state-owned enterprises operating within Vanuatu's international port of entries (seaports and airports) have been advised about the current World Health Organization declaration of a Global Pandemic of COVID-19 on 11 March 2020.

Airport Vanuatu Ltd (AVL) advises industry stakeholders

According to an advisory to the industry stakeholders, Rakau said “Rest assured that like most airports around the world, we remain first and foremost concerned with protecting the health and welfare of travellers, our staff and the public and reducing opportunities for transmission of communicable diseases. We continue to receive regular updates and advice from the COVID-19 Taskforce, global aviation industry organizations and through Air Vanuatu and our overseas airline partners."

Ways to stay social online while in self-isolation

As schools shut and some people work from home, many are feeling cut off from their everyday hobbies and social lives.

But the internet offers a means to stay connected and to keep us all entertained and educated through the days of isolation.

Here are just some of the ways people are already using technology to lift their spirits.

Socialising remotely

Groups have also been finding innovative ways to socialise, hosting dinner parties and even Brownies meetings online.

League's Oceania Cup postponed

The series, which was to include a much-anticipated rematch between Tonga and New Zealand and other tests involving Samoa, PNG and the Cook Islands was originally scheduled for June.

However the Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation said it was now looking at delivering fixtures in October and November.

Deputy Chair Greg Peters said the unprecedented measures had to be taken for the safety and well-being of players, staff and supporters.