Restrictions around COVID-19 will be lifted off In New Zealand to break off from the pandemic era and restore the pre-pandemic times. The government in New Zealand has announced that it will do away with all COVID-19 requirements from midnight Tuesday.
New Zealand’s Health Minister Ayesha Verrall officially stated that from Tuesday there will be no official requirement for people to wear a face mask in health care facilities or move in isolation for seven days after being infected by the coronavirus.
Verrall said, “While our case numbers will continue to fluctuate, we have not seen the dramatic peaks that characterised COVID-19 rates last year. This, paired with the population’s immunity levels, means Cabinet and I am advised we’re positioned to safely remove the remaining COVID-19 requirements.”
In 2022, vaccination rates in New Zealand peaked and that helped the Pacific country to prevent more cases from coming during the winters.
Just two months before a hotly contested election, the requirement removal was decided.
While the New Zealand government’s response to the pandemic was praised internationally for reducing infection and mortality rates, it drew criticism at home for the prolonged lockdowns, school closings, and closed borders.
The official lifting of restrictions, according to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, was a “significant milestone.” At a weekly press conference, Hipkins said, “I believe that New Zealanders can be enormously proud of what we achieved together. We stayed home, we made sacrifices, we got vaccinated and there is absolutely no question that we saved lives.”
However, the health minister warned people to remain at home for five days if they feel unwell or have contracted the virus.
