New Zealand has announced as of early Monday that the coronavirus is virtually eliminated within the borders of the country. With new cases having trickled down to single figures and the locating of all sources within the country, New Zealand is seemingly set on a road to recovery.

“Elimination means we may well reach zero but we may well then have small numbers of cases coming up again,” Arden said in a briefing. “we are in the position to have that zero tolerance approach to…keep those numbers fading out.”

This news comes in tandem with the slight loosening of some restrictions for non-essential businesses and activities, including the limited reopening of schools. While there is a lessening in social restrictions, the government has warned residents to continue working from home, and has not reopened public areas.

“We are opening up the economy, but we’re not opening up people’s social lives,” Arden said.