New Zealanders enjoy an almost normal pre-coronavirus lifestyle without social distancing.
Wellington, New Zealand:
New Zealand marked 100 days on Sunday without any recorded cases of coronavirus in the community, but health officials have warned there is no room for complacency.
There are still 23 active cases, but all were detected at the border upon entering the country and are being held in managed isolation centers.
“Reaching 100 days without community transmission is an important milestone, however, as we all know, we cannot afford to be complacent,” said chief health officer Ashley Bloomfield.
“We have seen abroad how quickly the virus can reappear and spread to places where it was previously under control, and we must be prepared to swiftly eradicate any future cases in New Zealand.”
New Zealand, with a population of five million, has been widely praised for its effective management of the coronavirus since its borders were closed on March 19.
The World Health Organization hailed the country as an example to others for having “successfully eliminated community transmission”.
Since the first patient was diagnosed in February, there have been 1,219 confirmed cases of the virus in New Zealand, with the last case of community transmission being recorded on May 1.
As a result, New Zealanders enjoy an almost normal pre-coronavirus lifestyle with no social distancing and no spectators allowed at sporting and cultural events, but with the border strictly controlled and all arrivals must spend 14 days in quarantine.
The government has maintained that the prospect of a second wave remains a possibility and is pushing for all households to keep emergency supply kits that include masks.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
