Cabinet has announced that because Waikato cases have remained linked, another easing of restrictions has been recommended for the region. Under this next phase of Level 3, businesses such as retail can open doors from 11.59pm tomorrow, Tuesday 2 November.
In principle, Auckland will also be moving into a less restricted Level 3 phase, but not until 11.59pm next Tuesday, 9 November.
This will come as some relief to Auckland retailers who have pleaded to reopen.
While cases are growing, vaccinations have the ability to keep numbers down overall, and are keeping hospitalisations down, Ardern said.
"Previously we worked hard to eliminate every case, but Delta has forced us to change our approach. Vaccines mean we can still have similar goals.”
