WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – Shops and malls in Auckland, New Zealand, opened their doors for the first time since March, as the coronavirus epidemic in the nation’s capital city slowly eased back into control.

The pent-up demand meant that retail outlets were full within hours after reopening. In addition, some customers queued up overnight in malls to avail of early bird deals at certain stores.

As a result of rising pressure from critics for greater freedom, libraries and museums were allowed to welcome visitors.

However, the hospitality industry remained closed.

Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of Australia made her first trip to Auckland since the lockdown on Aug. 17. She stated that the tourism sector would reopen once Auckland reaches its vaccination target.

Ardern explained that she had kept in contact with the hospitality staff throughout. She knows how hard it was.

“But there is light at the end. She said that we will soon see the reopenings of Auckland’s airports as Auckland reaches those goals.

Ardern said that Auckland will transition to a “traffic light” system for managing outbreaks, rather than locking down residents once 95% of Aucklanders are fully vaccinated. About 84% have already received the second dose.

New Zealand’s slow start in its vaccine campaign has drawn criticism, but nearly 80% have now had a second shot.

According to the government, Auckland schools are allowed to return face-toface learning starting November 17.

New Zealand’s success in eliminating COVID-19 last year has not been enough to stop a deadly Delta variant from spreading this year. This forced Ardern, who was previously focusing on zero cases and locking down the affected areas, to adopt a new strategy that allows them to live with the virus.

New Zealand has one of the fewest coronavirus infections in the world, with 32 deaths and just 8,000 cases so far.

The rest of the population, except for the 1.7million Aucklanders and those in other regions, has mostly returned to normal domestically, though the borders remain closed.