After weeks of level 4 and level 3 lockdown, New Zealand is moving to level 2 restrictions from 11:59pm Wednesday. Retail stores, malls, gyms, cinemas, restaurants, hairdressers, playgrounds and movie theatres will be allowed to reopen from this Thursday.
Schools will reopen from next Monday, May 18. And bars will be able to reopen from Thursday May 21. Social gatherings will be limited to 10, although these guidelines will be reviewed in a fortnight depending on the number of reported daily cases. Strict border controls would remain.
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made Cabinet's announcement a short time ago.
