This pandemic also requires a significant and coordinated response by and across central and local government. Also, under section 5 of the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006, yesterday I issued an epidemic notice nationwide to help ensure the continuity of essential Government business due to the unprecedented effects of the global pandemic COVID-19, which are likely to significantly disrupt essential governmental and business activity in New Zealand. This epidemic notice came into effect today, 25 March 2020, just after midnight, and it will remain for three months with ongoing review and from which now further epidemic management notices and epidemic modification orders can be given, particularly across local government, immigration, and social services, crucial services that now need flexibility to operate due to the effects of an epidemic in our country and an impending shutdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.