Coronavirus restrictions in New Zealand’s largest city have been relaxed following a week-long lockdown.
In Auckland, a city of some 1.6 million people, schools and businesses can reopen, people can travel between regions and can attend gatherings of up to 100 people, up from 10.
The snap lockdown was ordered by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government late on Saturday 27 February, in response to lingering community cases from the Valentine’s Day outbreak.
What’s the deal now?
The country reported just one new case of ‘border-related’ COVID-19 on Sunday 7 March, with a person in managed isolation testing positive for the virus that causes it.
“While it’s encouraging to see another day without any community cases, we must all remain vigilant and continue to do our bit,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
The relaxed restrictions will be in place for at least five days before being reassessed.
In the rest of New Zealand, most COVID-19 restrictions were lifted on Sunday 7 March, though people will still be required to wear face masks on public transport.
New Zealand has reported 2043 cases of COVID-19, including 72 active ones, and a total of 26 deaths.
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Source: AAP