New Zealand to ease Auckland domestic border curbs in mid-Dec

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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said domestic borders around New Zealand's largest city Auckland will reopen from December 15 for fully vaccinated people and those with negative Covid-19 test results, Reuters reports.

Auckland is the epicentre of an outbreak of the infectious Delta variant of the Covid-19 and been locked off from the rest of the country for over 90 days now. But with more than 80 per cent of Auckland and the rest of the country fully vaccinated it was time to open up the ability to travel again, Ardern said at a news conference.

Travellers will have to either be fully vaccinated or present a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours of departure. People breaking the rules will face an infringement fine of NZ$1,000 ($698.60).

Shoppers walk through a retail district in the wake of coronavirus lockdown restrictions being eased in Auckland, New Zealand, November 10. — Reuters
Shoppers walk through a retail district in the wake of coronavirus lockdown restrictions being eased in Auckland, New Zealand, November 10. — Reuters

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