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Wellington New Zealand companies, including shopping malls, cinemas, cafes and gyms, will be allowed to reopen starting Thursday, as stringent restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus were further lowered on Monday.
The Pacific nation was locked up for more than a month under “level 4” restrictions that eased somewhat at the end of last month. It has continued to apply strict social measures to many of its citizens and businesses, helping to prevent the widespread spread of the virus in the community.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the change to the “level 2” restrictions will mean that retail, restaurants and other public spaces, including playgrounds, can reopen starting Thursday.
“I am announcing that the Cabinet agrees that we are ready to move to level 2, to open up the economy, but to do so in the safest possible way,” Ardern said at a press conference.
Companies will be required to have physical distance and strict hygiene measures.
Schools can open from next Monday, while bars can only reopen from May 21, Ardern said. The meetings would be limited to 10 people.
“The result is that within 10 days we will have reopened most companies in New Zealand, and sooner than in many other countries around the world,” said Ardern.
The country’s borders would remain closed except for returning New Zealanders.
The measures would be reviewed again in two weeks, Ardern said.
Three new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, were confirmed Monday, the health ministry said in a statement.
The cases, two hospital nurses and one related to overseas travel, bring New Zealand’s total confirmed COVID-19 infections to 1,147, the ministry said, adding that 93% of all confirmed and probable cases have recovered.
The government will release its annual budget on Thursday and warned that the country would run fiscal deficits for years, while debt will rise to levels well above previous targets due to its economic support measures.
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Press Trust of India
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