New Zealand Admits It Can No Longer Get Rid of COVID-19

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrives with director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield (R) for the post-Cabinet press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Oct. 4, 2021. Mark Mitchell/Pool Photo via AP

WELLINGTON, New Zealand—New Zealand’s government acknowledged Monday what most other countries did long ago: It can no longer completely get rid of the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a cautious plan to ease lockdown restrictions in Auckland, despite an outbreak there that continues to simmer.