An-Najah News -  Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern said that New Zealand will next week ease some of the world’s strictest lockdown measures taken to tackle the novel coronavirus pandemic, after a month of tight restriction.

 Ardern said.“On the recommendation of the Director General of Health, who is confident there is currently no widespread undetected community transmission in New Zealand, today we are able to take a balanced approach in transitioning through alert levels and restarting our economy,”

Construction, manufacturing and forestry businesses would ballowed to operate under the new rules, meaning hundreds of thousands of people will resume work.

Shops, malls, hardware stores and restaurants will remain shut under alert level 3, but can permit online or phone purchases.

New Zealanders stuck at home for a month were immediately on social media asking whether restaurant takeaways and malls would open, while checking rules for travel and resuming acitivies including bush walks and surfing.

The government has said swimming at the beach, a day walk, or fishing from a wharf would be allowed in level 3. Experienced surfers would be allowed, and tramping and biking is ok for day walks on easy trails.