New Zealand Claims Coronavirus Has Been Eliminated

New Zealand announced its “elimination” of COVID-19, with virus transmission numbers as low as one-a-day.

New Zealand is Claiming to be virtually "Corona-Free"

New cases in the country have been in the single figures for several days now, with only one new case being registered Sunday, leading up to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement that the virus has been “currently eliminated.”

Despite that, measures will remain in place, with slight easing, as the current halt to new cases doesn’t mean a second wave won’t hit the country, officials warned.

“We are opening up the economy, but we’re not opening up people’s social lives,” Ms. Ardern said at the daily briefing.

New Zealand has less than 1,500 confirmed/probable Coronavirus cases and only 19 deaths, with the country’s Director-General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield, being confident that the goal of elimination has been reached with the latest statistics.

New cases will likely still emerge, although Bloomfield said that the “elimination” means that they know where they’re coming from, as New Zealand’s response to the virus was tough from the start – closing down borders, enforcing quarantine of all arrivals, as well as a strict lock-down and extensive testing. Experts also believe the country’s location played a big part in the border closing measure.

From Tuesday on, most businesses will be allowed to reopen, although New Zealanders are advised to remain in their “bubbles” and only interact with close friends and family, while following social distancing guidelines. Mass gatherings remain banned, and so do shopping malls and most schools.

Non-essential businesses without face-to-face contact will be reopening, as well as healthcare centers and some education facilities, although the country’s border remains closed.