New Zealand lifts all Covid restrictions, and Russia ease border
@WeChat ID: ijobchina
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during a news conference at the parliament in Wellington on May 20. She told a briefing on Monday she "did a little dance" around her lounge room when she was told there were no active cases in NZ. Photo: Kevin Stent - Pool/Getty Images
Auckland,
New Zealand — There are no known novel coronavirus cases in
New Zealand for the first time since COVID-19 arrived in the country on
Feb. 28, the government announced Monday afternoon local time.
New Zealand has lifted almost all of its coronavirus restrictions after reporting no active cases in the country.
At midnight local time (12:00 GMT), all of New Zealand moved to level one, the lowest of a four-tier alert system.
Under new rules, social distancing is not required and there are no limits on public gatherings, but borders remain closed to foreigners.
New Zealand has reported no new Covid-19 cases for more than two weeks.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters she did "a little dance" when she was told the country no longer had any active virus cases.
"While we're in a safer, stronger position, there's still no easy path back to pre-Covid life, but the determination and focus we have had on our health response will now be vested in our economic rebuild," Ms Ardern said.
"While the job is not done, there is no denying this is a milestone. So can I finish with a very simple, 'Thank you, New Zealand'."
The big picture: Shaun Hendy, who heads Te Pūnaha Matatini, a scientific body advising the government on COVID-19, said locking down early with some of the world's toughest measures was "crucial" to NZ's success, as other countries struggle with slowing the virus' spread and rising death tolls.
"This arrested the virus before it was widespread amongst essential service workers and meant that our contact tracers had fewer people to trace when new cases were found," Hendy told Axios.
"We ramped up testing early which led to very effective case isolation."
What's new: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced hours later that New Zealand would move to the lowest restriction level from midnight. She indicated earlier most restrictions would be lifted under alert level 1, but the border would remain closed.
Of note: The Ministry of Health said the last case was regarded as recovered after being symptom-free for 48 hours. New Zealand is set to declare the coronavirus eradicated on June 15.
This is based on two full cycles of COVID-19 transmission (28 days) passing since the last community transmission case ended self-isolation, per a government statement to Axios.
By the numbers: NZ has confirmed 22 deaths from COVID-19 and 1,154 cases from over 294,800 tests. It has reported no new cases for 17 days.
From March 25 when the most restrictive measures (level 4) were imposed to May 29 after two weeks on level 2, police reported 7,127 breaches and launched 336 prosecutions.
Background: On March 19, with 28 cases and no deaths, gatherings of over 100 people were banned and borders closed to all foreign travelers.
On March 23, non-essential businesses closed, events and gatherings were canceled and schools shut to all but essential workers' children as lockdown level 3 began.
That gave Kiwis 48 hours to prepare for level 4, when all schools closed, non-essential food delivery services halted, only essential local travel was permitted, and water activities like swimming were banned.
New Zealanders had to stay home at night and in their household "bubbles," socially distancing from all others.
People over 70 or with underlying health conditions were urged to stay home.
Jogging, walking and visiting local supermarkets and grocery stores became a popular past-time for many for almost five weeks before non-essential businesses and schools reopened at level 3.
For the record: Three barbers and a cafe drew crowds when they resumed service in Auckland at 12:01 a.m., as NZ moved to level 2 on May 14.
Barbershop customer Brad Ross enjoyed the warm fall weather and visiting the beach. "Then I lost my grandpa," he said.
A travel ban prevented him from making the 90-minute trip to where his grandfather lived.
Ross and friend Oliver Steel think Kiwis got on with lockdown without protests like those in the U.S. because of the laid-back culture. "We don't make too much fuss," Steel said.
What to expect: Hendy said it's "inevitable" there'll be more COVID-19 cases when the border eventually reopens or if there's a winter "flare-up." Effective testing, quarantine and contact-tracing will help "spot any outbreak before it gets too large."
"The lockdown was very effective but also very hard on many people and businesses, so we should be doing everything we can to avoid another one," Hendy said.
"Only as a last resort would we recommend locking down again, but we have the advantage now that we know a short, sharp lockdown is very effective against COVID-19."
For many, the latest
announcement is a cause for celebration - but not without caution.
Auckland-based lorry driver Patrick Weston told the BBC: "Everyone is so
happy we're finally through this, but we're still nervous.
"I
think the main thing people are worried about is the economy - so many
people out of work, so many people looking for work at the same time.
"[On
Tuesday] all restrictions are lifted and we can carry on as normal.
Sporting events, music events can all take place with no restriction of
numbers. We're still being encouraged to social distance of course, so
we hope people will be sensible.
"We're happy, but nervous about the future."
Russia announces first steps to ease border restrictions over COVID-19
People wearing face masks to protect
against coronavirus walk an outdoor book market set up in Red Square
with a Historical museum in the background in Moscow, Russia, on
Saturday, June 6, 2020. /AP
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail
Mishustin on Monday announced the first steps to allow Russian citizens
to travel beyond its borders after they closed to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus, Russian media reported.
Russians needing to work,
study or care for relatives abroad are allowed to resume international
travel for the first time since late March, Mishustin said in a
televised meeting.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced on Monday that the city's lockdown will end from Tuesday, which means the digital pass system for residents will also be cancelled.
Do you live in New Zealand and Russia?
What are your thoughts on the lifting of lockdown restrictions? Let's hear your voice by comments
Source: By Rebecca Falconer, https://www.axios.com; BBC; CGTN
END
Related Info@IJOBINCHINA
● Covid-19: Latest travel and entry rules
● U.S. closes door to Chinese students, other countries open...
● Singapore reveals details for travel fast lane with China/Italy.
● International Flights: Taking Off Again but Buyer Beware