New Zealand registered a further decline in locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, as 15 new locally acquired infections were reported, dropping from 21 a day earlier. This was the first day of easing of lockdown restrictions in regions outside Auckland.

Daily COVID-19 cases had hit a peak of 85 on August 29. Earlier this week, officials had stated that schools, offices and businesses will be allowed to reopen outside Auckland from Wednesday after near zero cases were reported in the rest of the country. However, there will be a limit on gatherings and masks will continue to be mandatory in public places.

About 1.7 million people in Auckland will remain in a strict lockdown until at least September 14… (NDTV – Reuters, September 8, 2021)