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Prime Minister of New Zealand,
Jacinda Ardern announced that the country has no active COVID-19 cases recently
and it is corona virus free. It is quite surprising that the country fought the
corona virus pandemic in such a relatively short period.
They were capable to fight it mainly
because of the 75-day lockdown period including the seven-week lockdown for
most of the business in New Zealand. The country reported its first COVID-19
case on February 28 and in less than a month, there were 102 confirmed cases.
The primary reason for New Zealand’s
victory in fighting this global pandemic and the deadly virus was the country’s
political leadership and the expertise advise given by the doctors and scientists.
The
effective measures taken by the Prime minister, Jacinda Ardern has led the
nation to live peacefully without corona virus. Zoe Marks a Lecturer in Public
Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School said that "In a global emergency,
women are showing us how to lead."
The Lock-Down Was Strict and Uptight
The
Prime Minister of New Zealand said, "We must go hard and we must go
early."
The
country closed its borders to foreign travelers on March 15 and made the native
people coming home undergo quarantine for 14 days. This was the most effective
approach that New Zealand obeyed to become a corona-free nation.
Again,
a lockdown was announced 10 days later where the country included full lockdown
measures, which were strict as per the global standards. Only essentials such
as pharmacies, grocery stores, hospitals, and gas stations were authorized to
stay open, vehicle travel was prohibited and social distancing and social
interaction were confined to households.
Similar restrictions and limitations continued for about a month before the people gradually went back to their normal lives. Currently, all social and economic restrictions have been released, but border constraints still prevail. The country worked smartly in bringing lockdown rules early and managed to contain and suppress the spread of the virus.
Testing
Range
Despite implementing the lockdown measures promptly, New Zealand also focused on the ramp-up testings. The country had one of the highest testing rates per capita in the world. It now has effective and sufficient requirements to process more than 8,000 tests per day.
Effectual
Communication
Before
the lockdown was implemented, the New Zealand government had sent emergency
text messages to all the residents of New Zealand with a precise explanation
about the lockdown.
This
resource backed information presented by the government served to have the best
impact on the citizens and thereby helped to enrich their knowledge about
lockdown rules and standards.
The government was absolutely transparent about what every lockdown level yields and its effects and consequences. The government won at achieving people's expectations and their daily needs.
Financial
Impact
New
Zealand was not afraid of the economic losses caused due to lockdown rather
they were scared for the lives of their citizens. The country's economy market
is expected to drop down by 6% this year because of the pandemic.
Recently,
New Zealand's Parliament passed tax reform. This reform is advantageous to the
citizens as it stated that the government will refund over 3 billion New
Zealand dollars ($1.8 billion) paid by the small businesses. The government
ministers and chief executives including the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern
agreed for a 20% pay cut due to the economic crisis.
It
is obvious that stopping the virus meant the country began its economic recovery
sooner. Ardern says that the country's economy would now be able to operate at
just 3.8% below normal which does not create a big impact and can be recovered
soon.
New
Zealand depends majorly on tourism and trade for their livelihood. Hence, it is
evident that the financial performance of New Zealand will be lagging. However,
economists debate that a corona virus-free country like New Zealand needs more
global trade and foreign investment.
Economists
also suppose that whatever may befall on New Zealand, they can tackle it. So,
it is believed that it is trustworthy to build trade, business, and investments
with New Zealand.
Geography Was a Convenience
New
Zealand is an isolated island which was of great help to fight the virus
because they were able to stay distant from other countries' borders. Hence New
Zealand had control over foreigners entering their country.
New Zealand also has a low population density
than other compared to the other countries in the world and hence, the virus
cannot move with the same ease as in other countries through the population.
It was easy for citizens to practice social distancing because of the low population density. It is pretty evident that the country's geography also served a primary purpose in obtaining a corona virus free nation.
The
Pandemic Guidebook Was Followed Correctly
New
Zealand's government was following the best guidelines for dealing with corona virus
given by their country scientist. The country's Prime Minister in a press-meet
formerly stated that they were able to fight the corona virus mainly due to the
advice and guidebook given by their scientists and doctors.
Arindam
Basu, Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury School of Health
Sciences in Christchurch, said:
"From
what we have experienced and announcements, it is clear that the borders will
remain closed, notwithstanding zero cases in the country: new entrants to the
country will be tested and where needed will be in quarantine; hand-wash,
cough/respiratory hygiene advice and precautions will remain as before.
While the number of people to be allowed in malls, cinema-halls, gatherings such as funerals is allowed to increase, there will also be strong surveillance (such as now funding are available for sewerage based surveillance of early signs of COVID-19 infection in the community), plus testing and contact tracing will continue. A new app has been released that will help in contact tracing.
In summary, the COVID-19 strategy of New Zealand going forward will still be based on public health science, with the understanding that new clusters and new cases can emerge, and the country is now prepared to address them with an accrued evidence of what works."
What Other Countries Can Learn From New Zealand?
Good
leadership can yield great success
New
Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern skillfully led the nation towards
fighting corona virus. Other government executives too stood by her side in
executing the lockdown in the early stages.
The
citizens followed her advice and helped in defeating the virus. So, with her marvelous
leadership, the country now has zero active COVID- 19 cases.
The
World cannot fight the virus without the public's cooperation
The
citizens of New Zealand stayed isolated to contribute their role in combating
against the COVID-19 pandemic. The other country's public must take inspiration
from them and follow proper social distancing. The public must trust the
government and follow their rules to overcome the pandemic soon.
Self-sufficiency
Despite
being an isolated island nation, New Zealand managed to be self-sufficient with
their requirements. Right from the start of the virus, the country started to
import essentials to tackle the virus.
They
made sure their nation got sufficient and basic needs such as medical equipment,
test kits, sanitizers, face masks, some pharmaceuticals, and many more.
It
is possible for any country to get through this scenario by following social
distancing, using proper protective gear while necessary, and by just staying
at home.
Written
by – Anusha Vajha
Edited
by – Adrija Saha
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