Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced all travellers arriving in New Zealand from anywhere in Italy must self-isolate for 14 days.
This is an extension to the travel restrictions of people arriving from Northern Italy, to the entire country of Italy.
Ardern said anyone travelling to Italy should reconsider their plans. People living with underlying health conditions are also being advised to re-consider taking a cruise.
The prime minister is expected to hear more advice in the next 24 hours about travellers from other parts of the world.
The Covid-19 Cabinet Committee and top ministry officials meet on a Wednesday to discuss how New Zealand is tackling the issue.
It comes as New Zealand enters a new phase of the coronavirus outbreak, with health officials focusing on slowing the spread of the virus, rather than eradicating it.
On Wednesday, Ministry of Health director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield said the government would consider a range of measures to slow the virus' spread.
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"Mass gathering and school closings could be employed now to maintain it [the spread] and slow it down," he said
It follows comments by Finance Minister Grant Robertson that the Government is designing a stimulus package in case the economic shock spurred by coronavirus turns into a recession.
He told Stuff while he isn't forecasting a recession, the nation's top bureaucrats have been tasked with preparing a macroeconomic package in case it is required.
After last week's committee meeting, Ardern announced the benefit stand-down period for those who had lost jobs due to coronavirus would be removed.
Ardern said last week the Covid-19 Cabinet Committee can convene at anytime health officials require it.
"At any time health officials have advice that we need to extend border restrictions or self-isolation requirements, they are to bring ministers with power together immediately for us to consider, no matter what time of day."
Committee members include Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Finance Minister Grant Robertson, Health Minister David Clark, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis, Education Minister Chris Hipkins, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway, Customs Minister Jenny Salesa, Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor, Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni and Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter.
