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WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Schools and businesses reopened in Auckland on Monday after the lifting of a blockade in New Zealand’s largest city to contain the resurgence of the coronavirus, but face masks have become mandatory on public transport across the country.
The Pacific nation of 5 million people appeared to have been successful in stopping community transmission of COVID-19, but a new outbreak in Auckland prompted the government to re-close the city earlier this month.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern eased restrictions in Auckland on Sunday, but made masks mandatory on public transport.
Ardern said Monday that he was confident the new move would be adopted across New Zealand, adding that “a bit of a smile with the eyes behind the mask” and kindness to Auckland residents in particular would help the country overcome the last outbreak.
“We have a plan that we know will work. We just need everyone’s compliance and help. If everyone adheres to those guidelines and rules, along with all the public health measures that we have, we can make this work,” Ardern said, wearing a mask herself, she told reporters in Auckland.
Auckland students returned to school after many weeks of interruptions.
“For me it’s very good for them to go back to school. Online work, online school is fine, but still not good enough for them. So it’s good to get out of the house,” said one parent.
Limits on public gatherings are maintained in Auckland and the rest of the country remains at Alert Level 2, which means that social distancing rules must be followed.
New Zealand announced 9 new coronavirus cases on Monday, five of which were in the community and were traced to the well-known Auckland group.
New Zealand has recorded a total of 1,387 confirmed COVID-19 cases so far and 22 deaths.
(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
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