Surf’s up, coffee’s ready as New Zealand reopens

Surfers prepare to enter the water at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Tuesday, April 28, 2020, as coronavirus pandemic restrictions are eased. The beach is open to swimmers and surfers to exercise only. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

BANGKOK — Surfers greeted a spectacular sunrise in Christchurch, construction workers purchased their favorite espresso coffees and some lawmakers returned to Parliament in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, on Tuesday as some aspects of life began returning to normal.

The country had been in a strict lockdown for over a month to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but those conditions were eased a little on Tuesday to allow some parts of the economy to restart as new infections wane.

Among those places to reopen were construction sites, as well as cafes and restaurants that sell takeaway coffees and food. People are still required to maintain social distancing and work from home if they can.

New Zealand recorded three new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing its confirmed total to 1,472, including 19 deaths.

Meanwhile, Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach reopened to swimmers and surfers on Tuesday despite the local area having Australia’s highest concentration of COVID-19 cases.

People can only enter during daylight hours, cannot linger on the sand, and are counted to ensure social distancing.

Hundreds braved cool autumn weather to return to the water soon after the gates opened. A virus testing tent is nearby due to the high rate of infections, particularly among backpackers who often live in crowded conditions.

The municipality that includes Bondi said it continues to have the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Australia.