New Zealand health officials have declared the country to be coronavirus-free. In her celebratory speech, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced lifting of the nationwide lockdown. The last person with coronavirus has successfully recovered and there have been no more positive cases in the last 48-hours.
She said that Kiwis will move to a national alert level one from midnight on Monday. Public and private events will be allowed to take place without restrictions and retail and hospitality industries can resume operations while the public transport resumes functioning.
The health department's director, Ashley Bloomfield said that the milestone was “really good news” and an achievement the whole of New Zealand could take heart from.
“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,” he said in a statement.
New Zealand's Jacinda Arden has been an exemplary leader in the times of a global pandemic and health with an efficiently strict seven-week lockdown that ended last month after the virus was contained. People have termed the positive news a ray of hope in these tough times.
The nation with a population of five million, has had 1,154 confirmed cases and 22 deaths reported on coronavirus.
There have been no new infections for 17 days and, until Monday, just one active case for more than a week.
Details of the final patient were not released for privacy reasons but it is believed to be a woman aged in her 50s who was linked to a cluster at an Auckland nursing home.
“Remaining case has been symptom-free for 48 hours and is regarded as recovered. The person has now been released from isolation,” the health department said.
She said that Kiwis will move to a national alert level one from midnight on Monday. Public and private events will be allowed to take place without restrictions and retail and hospitality industries can resume operations while the public transport resumes functioning.
The health department's director, Ashley Bloomfield said that the milestone was “really good news” and an achievement the whole of New Zealand could take heart from.
“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,” he said in a statement.
New Zealand's Jacinda Arden has been an exemplary leader in the times of a global pandemic and health with an efficiently strict seven-week lockdown that ended last month after the virus was contained. People have termed the positive news a ray of hope in these tough times.
The nation with a population of five million, has had 1,154 confirmed cases and 22 deaths reported on coronavirus.
There have been no new infections for 17 days and, until Monday, just one active case for more than a week.
Details of the final patient were not released for privacy reasons but it is believed to be a woman aged in her 50s who was linked to a cluster at an Auckland nursing home.
“Remaining case has been symptom-free for 48 hours and is regarded as recovered. The person has now been released from isolation,” the health department said.