Restrictions eased in Auckland following mystery COVID cases

Sky News

Auckland has moved to an alert level 2 lockdown, while the rest of New Zealand is under an alert level 1 lockdown, with restrictions having eased overnight.

New Zealand authorities had implemented a 72-hour lockdown on Auckland after three mystery coronavirus cases were detected in the city.

Under the lockdown, residents in the city were only allowed to leave home for shopping and essential work purposes.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has defended the harsh measures – as the origin of the cases remain unknown.