Auckland, with a population of about 1.7 million, has been under strict rules after a single case was detected on August 18. The number of cases in the outbreak has now reached 8,745.
The city’s Mayor Phil Goff said Friday was a day to celebrate after a “long and challenging” lockdown, but that it was necessary to continue to take steps to keep safe, said dpa international.
A “traffic light” system has come into force for the country. Green indicates limited Covid-19 transmission and orange means risk and pressure on the health system is increasing.
Auckland is on red – the toughest level of restriction – along with some parts of the North Island. All of the South Island is on orange, with none of the country yet on green.
High-risk businesses such as gyms and hospitality venues can open to vaccinated customers at green and orange and continue to operate with some restrictions at red.
Such businesses choosing to open to unvaccinated customers face tougher rules. For example a bar or cafe will see their maximum capacity reduced under green, and they will be limited to contactless operations under red and orange.
Even at red, there are restrictions on movement but schools and essential businesses and health care stay open and people can meet indoors and outdoors.
About 86 per cent of New Zealand’s eligible population are fully vaccinated.
With a population of 5 million, New Zealand has reported about 11,500 cases of Covid-19 and 44 deaths since the onset of the pandemic.
