Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020
This article documents the chronology of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2020, which originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Some developments may become known or fully understood only in retrospect. Reporting on this pandemic began in December 2019. Reactions and measures in the Western Pacific. 3 November. Air Commodore Darryn Webb has announced that New Zealand returnees will not be able to board flights to New Zealand without having pre-booked hotel vouchers for staying at a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility. 9 November. After American Samoa  had confirmed its first three cases resulting from maritime travel, authorities on neighbouring Samoa are investigating whether the three infected individuals had disembarked from their container ship "Fesco Askold" which had docked in Apia's port over the weekend. 13 November. New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that Auckland would remain at Alert Level 1 and that the city centre would reopen after a recent community transmission was genomically linked to an existing cluster. Hipkins also confirmed that he would seek Cabinet's permission to make it compulsory to wear masks on Auckland public transportation and flights . 16 November. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that face masks will be mandatory on public transportation in Auckland and on all domestic flights from 19 November. 17 November. On 17 November, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announced that the state would be entering a six-day "circuit breaker" lockdown following a local community outbreak. As a result, all schools, universities, eateries, and the construction industry will shut down while exercising outside of houses will be banned. 19 November. The Bank of New Zealand has announced the closure of 38 branches nationwide over  the next seven months as a result of the economic effects of COVID-19. 21 November. On 21 November, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announced that authorities would be ending the state's "circuit breaker" restrictions after a hospitality worker at the center of the cases admitted misleading authorities. Under the easing of lockdown restrictions, limited numbers of people will be allow to attend private functions, funerals, restaurants and pubs.