Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern [Source: RNZ]

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has told New Zealanders they must prepare for the full effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus, but must not panic, especially over rumours and misinformation.

Ardern is in Rotorua, where she is currently giving an update on the government’s response to the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Ardern said she was aware there were a lot of rumours and misinformation circulating on social media, but authorities could be trusted to continue to share what they knew, as it happened.

“The last thing we want is for that anxiety to be based on misinformation.”

She said New Zealanders needed to take social distancing “really seriously”.

“We are in a very heightened state as a nation, and so is the world.”

Ardern said each business had their own plan, and their own thinking about what they could do about keeping staff employed, and how they could support each other.

She said the government was looking at ways on how they could support that.

If there were wider outbreaks, then the strategy around schools will be reassessed, Ardern said.