New Zealand to lift coronavirus curbs in most of country on September 21

New Zealand will lift coronavirus limitations beyond the country on September 21, without in its biggest city, Auckland, which is the epicentre of the second wave of infections, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.

Ardern said Auckland's limitations would be reviewed next Monday. She also said the government would quickly ease all physical distancing requirements on planes, a boost for Air New Zealand, which has had to restrict passengers on its aircraft for months.

Ardern said in a news conference in the South Island city of Dunedin, "I know this change will make a real difference to Air New Zealand and those parts of the country seeking increased numbers of visitors."

Masks will still be mandatory on all public transport, she added.

New Zealand, a nation of five million, had appeared to have succeeded in halting community transmission of COVID-19. Still, a fresh outbreak in Auckland in August prompted the government to place the city back in lockdown.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is facing a general election on October 17, scaled back the restrictions this month. However, the city is still under alert level 2.5, meaning social gatherings of more than ten people are not allowed.

Ardern cabinet will review the current rules for Auckland at its meeting on September 21, to increase gathering limits if the situation stays stable.

That change, if it comes, will take effect on September 23, she said.

New Zealand on Monday reported one new case of coronavirus in the community, taking the total number of cases to 1,447 and 24 deaths.