This archive report was first published on 27 April 2020.
On April 27, 2020, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the country had effectively eliminated Covid-19, citing a significant reduction in new cases.
With new cases in single figures for several days, Ms. Ardern stated that the virus was 'currently' eliminated, but officials warned against complacency, emphasizing that it does not mean a total end to new coronavirus cases.
As New Zealand moves out of its toughest level of social restrictions, some non-essential businesses, healthcare, and education activities will resume from Tuesday.
However, most people will still be required to remain at home at all times and avoid all social interactions, with the government urging citizens to stick to their 'bubble' – a small group of close friends or family – and maintain a 2m distance from others.
Ms. Ardern said, 'We are opening up the economy, but we're not opening up people's social lives.'
According to the government, New Zealand has reported fewer than 1,500 confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus and 19 deaths.
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield stated that the low number of new cases in recent days 'does give us confidence that we have achieved our goal of elimination.'
However, he warned that 'elimination' did not mean there would be no new cases, 'but it does mean we know where our cases are coming from.'
