The cordon in the Christchurch CBD will be lifted at 5am tomorrow morning.
But Mayor Bob Parker says this will be dependent on there being no more major aftershocks.
Some minor street closures will remain, particularly around buildings that are undergoing demolition and strengthening.
The Christchurch Bus Exchange will openagain tomorrow and the aim is to get the public transport system back up and running.
Historic chapel to be demolished
Meanwhile the historic chapel at Christchurch's Churchill Courts aged care complex will be totally demolished by day's end.
As the excavator waited, all the religious fittings - including robes, chalices and patens, altar rail, and various commemorative plaques - were hastily taken from the chapel.
Regular worship services will continue in a lounge room in a safe area of the hospital.
Government donates $7.5 for social services
The Government has made $7.5 million available to organisations providing social services to those affected by Saturday's earthquake in Canterbury.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said the Community Response Fund would provide one-off grants of $5000-$10000 to community-based social services in the region.
The Ministry hoped to make the fund available from Monday September 13.
Providers would need to show they were earthquake related and focusing on the well-being of the community in order to be eligible for grants, Ms Bennett said.
"Canterbury's community organisations are doing a great job in incredibly difficult circumstances. But they can only do so much with the resources they have", she said
"We want to ensure that these groups can continue to provide vital social services and cope with increased demand."
Ms Bennett said administration of the fund would be simplified to speed up the application process.
"We are cutting the red tape to get resources on the ground as quickly as possible."
Meanwhile Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said a rural recovery plan is also underway.
The group which will be led by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and will have support from buy-in from Federated Farmers, North Canterbury Rural Support Trust, Fonterra, Dairy NZ, Beef & Lamb, Rural Women NZ, Irrigation NZ, Water Force, Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council, the Insurance Council and banks.
Mr Brownlee also told reporters in Christchurch:
* That the Government has also appointed Allan Baird as a "rural recovery coordinator".
* That the Government has waived the waste levee fee of $10 per tonne.
* A handful of schools opened today but most of the 165 plan to open on Monday.
