Police have opted to stop organised breathtesting checkpoints in a bid to protect staff and others during the coronavirus pandemic.
But police are warning the measure doesn't mean New Zealanders will get away with drink-driving, and are urging motorists to do their bit during the crisis.
New Zealand has 39 confirmed cases of the virus, prompting the Government to ban gatherings of 100 or more people at indoor events and Auckland Council to shut its art galleries, pools and libraries.
A police spokesperson said they were continually reviewing their operational practices and approach to response to Covid-19, of which breath testing had been a part.
The health and safety of police staff and communities was paramount, so police would no longer be running organised drink-driving checkpoints in an effort to help reduce the potential spread of Covid-19, the spokesperson said.
