The Cook Islands government has lifted its ban on large gatherings and eased alcohol restrictions.
The prime minister of the Cook Islands, Henry Puna. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana
Under Covid-19 orders, social gatherings were previously limited to 10 people while alcohol could only be sold between 9am and 4pm.
The Cook Islands News reports that alcohol can now be sold until 6pm.
Prime Minister Henry Puna said the restrictions had played a key role in keeping Covid-19 out of the Cook Islands.
But in the past week and a half, the country had been easing some of the public measures.
Students returned to school on Monday last week, while in the preceding weekend churches were able to resume services.
Domestic travel restricted were also lifted last week, but the Cook Islands maintains a closed border to all international passengers.
However Cook Islands residents permitted to return from overseas in the interim still have to undergo a "double quarantine" course in Auckland and Rarotonga.
The Ministry of Health Te Marae Ora is enforcing this order for residents to remain in isolation for 14 days upon their arrival in the Cooks, after they spend 14 days in quarantine in New Zealand before their departure.