Tuesday, New Zealand lifted the last of its Covid restrictions, putting an end to one of the tightest pandemic regulations in history. The government noted that the country had a much lower fatality rate than many other countries.
According to the health minister, Ayesha Verrall, the island nation would no longer require masks in medical institutions or the final seven days of required isolation for those who test positive for the coronavirus.
When the coronavirus first appeared in 2020, New Zealand served as something of a model for how countries may effectively fend it off by implementing early lockdowns and stringent border controls.
The coronavirus outbreak’s initial effects were greatly diminished by the early zero-Covid approach, sparing New Zealand the widespread mortality and overburdened healthcare systems observed in many parts of the world, notably the United States.
However, as the restrictions dragged on and had a negative impact on the economy, it also kept the island nation isolated globally and made it more and more unpopular.
Verrall said in a statement on Monday that it had been a long road, but New Zealand’s COVID-19 method had transitioned from an emergency response to sustainable long-term management.
The health minister continued, “While our case counts will continue to fluctuate, we have not observed the spectacular peaks that characterised COVID-19 rates last year.
According to the government, Covid has significantly lessened the strain on the healthcare system this winter in New Zealand, with cases making up just 2.2% of recent hospital admissions.
According to Cabinet and I, we are in a position to safely remove the remaining COVID-19 criteria because of this and the population’s immunity levels, Verrall stated.
She added, however, that anyone who are “ill” or “have tested positive for Covid-19” should stay at home for five days.
She also emphasised that using face masks is still an effective way to stop the spread of respiratory infections in hospitals and centres for people with disabilities.
The action was referred to as a “significant milestone” by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.
During a press conference on Monday, he added, “The unity of the Kiwi response, and the sacrifices that were all commonplace all contributed to the many thousands of lives that were saved.”
5.1 million people in New Zealand, according to Hipkins, were affected by the coronavirus, resulting in 3,249 deaths.
“We would be reporting about 15,000 deaths from Covid if New Zealand had had a similar rate of Covid-19 mortality as the United States,” he asserted.
The Labour Party, which is currently in power in New Zealand, paid a political price for the severe rules.
His predecessor, Jacinda Ardern, was responsible for the initial success. However, as the stringent limitations persisted, the people grew increasingly frustrated with their effects, which included the months-long separation of families and the exclusion of almost all foreigners.
Last March, during a time when the country was experiencing economic unrest and rising living expenses, protesters camped out in front of the Parliament for weeks and set fire to tents, mattresses, and chairs. This was a result of the protracted Covid lockdowns and mandates.
Support for Ardern and the Labour Party plummeted in 2022, just before she abruptly announced her resignation in January, citing a lack of energy.
Hipkins had a strong connection to the zero-Covid regulations because he served as health minister for a large portion of the epidemic.
The center-right opposition National Party is posing a serious threat to Labour in New Zealand’s next elections.
Gradually throughout 2022, the nation’s borders were reopened, restoring the strict controls put in place in March 2020 to keep immigrants at away and restrict places for citizens to return.
It implemented a five-step plan, allowing locals to return home before welcoming a large-scale tourism recovery.
It has shared hosting duties for the 2023 Women’s World Cup with Australia for the past three weeks.