NZ introduces world's toughest border restrictions

All incoming passengers including New Zealand citizens will be required to isolate themselves for 14 days from Monday. New Zealand has had only six confirmed cases of the illness.

Auckland:New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday announced what she says will be some of the toughest border restrictions in the world, in an attempt to stunt the spread of the new coronavirus.

From Monday, all incoming passengers including New Zealand citizens will be required to isolate themselves for 14 days.

The only countries exempt from the restrictions are a handful of Pacific islands that haven't yet had any cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

New Zealand has had only six confirmed cases of the illness. All of those have been connected with international travellers and there have been no signs yet of any local outbreaks.

The measures announced on Saturday will have a big impact on New Zealand's tourism industry which provides the country's largest single source of foreign income.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

(With inputs from AP)