A quick recap of earlier comments.......>

NEW ZEALAND: A quick recap of earlier comments from PM Ardern, per RTRS: "New

Zealand said on Thursday that retail, domestic travel and local sport can resume

if social restrictions are eased next week, as the country prepares to end

months of economic disruptions due to the coronavirus. The Pacific nation was

locked down for over a month under "level 4" restrictions that were eased by a

notch on April 28, but continued to enforce strict social measures on many of

its citizens as authorities looked to limit the outbreak. The measures have

helped contain the community spread of the virus, with just three new case of

COVID-19 this week. However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned that it was

unlikely every single case had been identified, and asked citizens to maintain

social distancing and hygiene even if the country lowered its alert level to 2

from 3. "Level 2 has been designed to get as many people back to work as

possible and the economy back and running in the safest way possible," she said

at a news conference. "We can keep it in check and remain on our path for

elimination." A decision on whether to lower restrictions will be made on

Monday."