New Zealand, at midnight local time moved to level one of a four level lockdown system. This was because the country has not had any coronavirus cases to report in the last 17 days.

Social distancing no longer needs to be practiced, nor is there any cap on public gatherings now.

The country’s borders, however, will remain closed to foreigners. New Zealanders arriving home will be required to undertake 14 days of isolation or quarantine.

New Zealand went into (level 4) lockdown on March 25. Unless essential, most businesses were shut, schools were closed and the population was advised to stay at home. After more than five weeks, it moved to level three, in which takeaway food shops were allowed to do business. Some other non-essential business were allowed to operate as well.

The BBC reports that the move to level one was originally planned by the government for June 22. It was brought forward after no new cases were reported in more than two weeks.

All schools and workplaces can now reopen. Public transport can freely resume. While social distancing is still encouraged, events such as weddings and funerals can take place without restrictions.

With New Zealand celebrating, a cautious Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has warned that the country would see cases again. She said, “…..elimination is not a point in time, it is a sustained effort.” The premier added, “…….the determination and focus we have had on our health response will now be vested in our economic rebuild.”

Coronavirus entered New Zealand in late February. Arden has since been hailed for her swift and effective handling of the crisis that saw 1 154 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 22 deaths.

Umm Muhammed Umar