New Zealand is accelerating a cabinet decision to tear down all COVID-19 restrictions except border controls to Monday thanks to exceptional control of the virus.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern painted a picture of what life would look like under easing at alert level 1 – which would see all current rules on business and services lifted and social distancing abolished.

Ms Ardern stressed it is important Kiwis adopt new behaviours despite the change such as hygiene.

“Ultimately, level 1 represents us getting the virus under control, but the war doesn’t end so long as COVID is still around the world, and the economic damage caused by it is ongoing,” she said.

“We need to stick to level 2 rules for now.”

New Zealand has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 for 12 consecutive days, with just one active case in the entire country.

Image: Getty