How a Small Nation Tackled the Global Pandemic

                           

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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