On 14 March 2020, Ardern announced the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand saying that the government would be requiring anyone entering the country from midnight 15 March to isolate themselves for 14 days. She said the new rules will mean New Zealand has the "widest ranging and toughest border restrictions of any country in the world". On 19 March, Ardern said that New Zealand's borders would be closed to all non-citizens and non-permanent residents, after 11:59 pm on 20 March (NZDT). Ardern announced that New Zealand would move to a nationwide lockdown, at 11:59 pm on 25 March.