New Zealand to allow gatherings of 100 from Friday

Limits on the size of social gatherings in New Zealand will be eased from 10 to 100 from midday on Friday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced, and church services, funerals and parties will be allowed.

New Zealand is now under level two restrictions with schools and a majority of business reopening.

The country has been relatively successful in containing COVID-19, recording about 1,500 cases and 21 deaths.

Ardern said the Cabinet would discuss the lockdown rules again on June 8 and would consider by June 22 whether New Zealand could safely move to the level 1 alert.

(With input from agencies)