NZ reports 9 new Covid-19 cases as Auckland eases curbs

Wellington, Aug 31 (IANS) New Zealand on Monday reported nine new coronavirus cases, while the largest city of Auckland relaxed restrictions but mandated the wearing of masks on public transport.

Among the nine new cases, four are in managed isolation facilities after arriving in New Zealand from India last week, according to the Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, the five other cases are all epidemiologically linked to the Auckland cluster, Xinhua news agency reported citing the Ministry as saying.

There are currently 128 people linked to the community cluster who have been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility.

With the nine new cases, the total number of active cases is 131. Of those, 24 are imported cases in managed isolation facilities, and 107 are community cases.

The nationwide caseload currently stands at 1,387.

Meanwhile, Auckland entered a lower level of Covid-19 restrictions on Monday, allowing people to get in and out of the city, sparking concerns of further spreading the virus as some residents flew to resorts such as Queenstown in the South Islandd.