Jacinda Ardern
On 14 March 2020, Ardern announced the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. She said 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 make it harder for people to travel to the country. 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.