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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a plan to re-open the economy and the schools over the next 10 days.
Life is expected to resemble what it was like before the coronavirus outbreak in many respects, although social distancing rules will still apply, and social gatherings will be limited to 10 people at events like weddings and funerals. The nation's borders will also remain closed.
Under the plan, almost all businesses will be able to re-open beginning Thursday, including retail stores, malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms. People will also be able to take flights around the country. Schools will then re-open starting next Monday. Bars will be the last businesses allowed to reopen, on May 21.
Ardern said bars pose a high risk: ``We don't want to be South Korea _ to open our bars only to close them again,'' she said.
New Zealand has been successful in reducing new cases of the virus to a trickle, including two days last week when no new cases were recorded. In total, the country has reported close to 1,500 cases and 21 deaths.
Ardern said New Zealanders need to remain cautious: ``We may have won a few battles but we have not won the war,'' she said.-AP. Photo: Stuff

New Zealanders have endured a lockdown for six weeks.

New Zealand outlines pathway to resuming normal life