Ardern: Auckland travel rules to be eased slightly

New Zealand relaxed travel restrictions in Auckland on Monday, six weeks after the nation's most populous city was locked down due to the coronavirus. People will be able to cross the city boundary beginning Monday night if they are permanently relocating, have shared caring-giving arrangements or are returning home.

Those leaving Auckland on care-giving trips will have to be tested for the virus within a week of their departure. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said more flexibility is being given because the system of pandemic restrictions is "currently doing its job."

The city reported eight new infections Tuesday in the latest 24-hour period. Auckland was locked down Aug. 17 after the delta variant leaked from hotel quarantine from a New Zealander who had returned from Sydney. Pandemic restrictions elsewhere in New Zealand amount to little more than mandatory mask-wearing.