This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
On May 18, 2020, New Zealand marked a significant milestone in its fight against COVID-19 as hundreds of thousands of children returned to school after a two-month lockdown.
Excited youngsters greeted their classmates for the first time in eight weeks, while teachers reinforced messages about social distancing and hand-washing to combat the coronavirus.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins acknowledged that the return to a noisy, bustling environment would be a 'culture shock' after a challenging period for both children and parents.
However, he emphasized that the government's message is clear: it's safe to send kids back to school, and they want kids back at school to catch up on any learning they may have lost during the lockdown.
With a population of five million, New Zealand has recorded 1,149 coronavirus cases and just 21 deaths, thanks to a strict lockdown imposed in late March.
While most domestic lockdown restrictions ended last Thursday, schools were given extra time to implement health protocols among the very young.
Parents dropped off their children at 'kiss and go' zones, while early childhood centres recorded personal details needed for contact tracing.
Some children, like Wellington sisters Charlotte and Lucy McKenzie, were excited to return to school, while others had mixed feelings about the lengthy time at home.
As one parent, Tanya, noted, 'I'm a little nervous about COVID making a resurgence, but I do trust the information we're getting from the government and from the health department that seems to show we're beating it.'
