An international health expert says if New Zealanders want to keep new strains of Covid-19 out of the community, we need to do the hard work.

The Ministry of Health has so far recorded a total of 19 cases linked to the UK and South Africa variants.

Otago University's Philip Hill told Tim Dower people need to adhere to the Covid-19 health guidelines.

He says people aren't taking the possibility of another outbreak in the community, seriously.

Mr Hill says there's more to be done than just getting a jab, including following public health guidelines.

He says this would help keep the virus at bay until a vaccine arrives.

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