For the second time in a month, a lockdown, beginning today, has been imposed on Auckland, New Zealand, . Al Jazeera reports that health authorities are trying to curb the spread of the more contagious UK variant of the coronavirus. Almost two million people in the city are to be under lock down for a week. People will now only be allowed to leave home for essential shopping and essential work.

The measure had been announced on Saturday evening by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, following a new coronavirus case having been located. The case was that of an infected 21-year-old student who had not quarantined. Arden said, “Despite our best efforts to date, recent cases have gone to work when they shouldn’t have.” She said that it was more than likely there would be additional cases in the community. There are currently 14 linked cases.

Meanwhile, Judith Collins, leader of the opposition, has demanded tougher penalties against those not implementing coronavirus protocols regarding isolation. She said, “No one wants to be yo-yoing in and out lockdown.”

Al Jazeera reports that News Zealand’s swift public health measures in the past year, as well as the country’s aggressive contact tracing and border closures have made New Zealand highly successful in keeping the coronavirus pandemic largely successfully in check.

Umm Muhammed Umar