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NEW ZEALAND HAS eradicated the coronavirus from its shores after health officials reported today that the final person known to have been infected had recovered.
The news swiftly led to the country’s government announcing all forms of public events can again take place without limitations or social distancing guidelines.
It has been 17 days since the last new case was reported in New Zealand, and today also marked the first time since late February there had been no active cases.
Health officials caution that new cases could be imported into the country, which has closed its borders to everybody but citizens and residents, with some exceptions.
“We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now, but elimination is not a point in time, it is a sustained effort,” New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern told a news conference.
We almost certainly will see cases here again … and that is not a sign that we have failed, it is a reality of this virus. But if and when that occurs we have to make sure and we are, that we are prepared.
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said it was a pleasing development.
“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,” Dr Bloomfield said.
The New Zealand government responded by removing all restrictions on public gatherings, meaning, among other factors, sport stadiums will again be able to hold fans without regulations about social distancing.
Experts say a number of factors have helped the nation of five million wipe out the disease.
Its isolated location in the South Pacific gave it vital time to see how outbreaks spread in other countries, and Ardern acted decisively by imposing a strict lockdown early in New Zealand’s outbreak.
Just over 1,500 people contracted the virus in New Zealand, including 22 who died.
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Best not to say how old you are. The government will probably find a way to demand more tax
@Marc Power: Agreed, They want us plebs to work until 70 while they swan off at 50 with numerous pensions and directorships.
@Marc Power: In fairness Marc they do need to know how many extra trolleys to order for our hospitals…………..
@David Huston:
Once again, since about 2011 a government minister cannot receive more than one pension related to the highest position they attained and not until they get to normal retirement age.
Directorships are a matter for a company and not paid for the taxpayer.
Maybe you didn’t know but it seems a lot of commenters throw out statements like yours, a flat out lie, in the hope it cons a few “plebs”
@P.J. Nolan: Enda Kenny’s pension pot would have cost a private sector worker €5.2 million. Excessive by any standards.
@Sean:
Agreed, his pension is related to his salary and that salary was too high.
might reach the 100-and get the cheque from the government.
@TheBluffmaster2: it would probably bounce frame it instead
@Jonathan Power: I’d frame it, Might be worth something in a thousand years all going well……
@Jonathan Power: well I don’t think Michael D will be giving it to me anyway.
While Nanny State says No Smoking! No Drinking! No Gambling! No Drugs! Just DIE as we can’t afford you to live beyond you’re TAXABLE Years.
@B.J.Elmes: No Gambling? No Drinking? What State do you live in?
healthy life years??? tbh there’s nothing healthy about society these days,,, you’ll have 120 year olds addicted to social media etc when the average human age reaches that, IF it does!!!
have your say