New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has announced that they will be lifting the lockdown and allow people to resume their normal soc...
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has announced that they will be lifting the lockdown and allow people to resume their normal social and economic activities.
This follows after the health officials reported that the last known patient who had Covid-19 has made a full recovery.
This means at the time of reporting, the country has no known cases of Covid-19
Jacinda Arden however said the government would by no means relax but would always stay alert for new imported cases.
“We have eliminated transmission of the virus for now. While the job is not done. This is a milestone,” she Arden said the lifting of restrictions will be effective from midnight on Monday (12:00 GMT).
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| New Zealand Now Covid-19 Free As Last Patient Recovers… Lifts Lockdown |
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield who was at the presser with Arden said he allowed himself a broad smile.
This means all restrictions on shops, restaurants and offices will be removed.
Social distancing will no longer be mandatory but it remains encouraged.
The last case of Covid-19 in New Zealand was reported 17 days ago and there have been no other active cases since.
The last patient was a woman from Auckland who was released from hospital.
“Having no active cases for the first time since February 28 is certainly a significant mark in our journey, but as we’ve previously said, ongoing vigilance against COVID-19 will continue to be essential,” Bloomfield said.
Borders will however remain closed and only citizens and residents, with some exceptions, are currently allowed into the country.
Experts say New Zealand’s isolation location might have also helped in fast containing and eradication Covid-19 cases.
They also had a strict lockdown protocol during the early stages of the outbreak.
More that 1 500 in New Zealand contracted Covid-19 and 22 died as a result.