Banks shut across Auckland on Monday after the Ministry of Health declined an application to allow them to open in level 3.

Most banks had been opening a smaller number of their branches, with limited hours, through the first week-and-a-half of Auckland’s level 3, with physical distancing and safety measures in place.

But Miles Erwin, spokesman for the New Zealand Bankers’ Association said banks had been informed that a Reserve Bank application to allow them to open had been declined and had shut their doors.

“We have subsequently been informed an application has now been approved by the Ministry of Health. Banks can return to their original level 4 and 3 settings of opening select branches on reduced hours with customer and staff safety a priority, for the remainder of level 3.”

The financial services sector had been counted as an essential service in the March and April lockdown.

Banks initially opened on the same grounds this time but the new health order then issued did not allow them to serve customers, and an application was required.