Only 26 people in New Zealand have died from the coronavirus since the pandemic began, after the nation of five million managed to completely stamp it out its spread.

But a big question has arisen. Is it realistic for the country to maintain its zero-tolerance approach, which has included strict lockdowns for even small outbreaks, once it begins to reopen its borders?

The answer from an expert group advising the government is a resounding “Yes.”

Chaired by epidemiologist David Skegg, the group said in a highly anticipated report that it believes it’s possible to maintain an elimination strategy even after more people start arriving.

Read the full AP story here.