Green light for level one

Businesses are set to return to a more traditional way of operating after learning most of the country is moving back to Covid-19 alert level one.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the lowest level will be back in place for much of New Zealand from 11.59pm on September 21.

However, a meeting of Cabinet decided Auckland will only drop from “level 2.5” to level two with gathering limits in the city to increase from 11.59pm on September 23.

Ardern told a September 21 press conference Auckland will stay at level two for at least 14 days with Cabinet to monitor the coronavius situation with a view to moving the city to level one on October 7.

Auckland went into nearly three weeks of a level-three lockdown after an outbreak of Covid-19 in the community in August. At the same time, the rest of the country moved to level two.

The decisions mean restrictions on dealerships and automotive businesses outside of Auckland will be lifted and social distancing measures will no longer apply.

Despite the change, most companies are expected to retain more stringent health measures than were in place before the coronavirus pandemic emerged early in 2020. People are also still encouraged to use to government’s Covid tracer app in case future cases emerge.