New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a “level 3” coronavirus shutdown of the entire country, with all non-essential services ordered to cease operations immediately, and schools given a definitive timeline to close, far outstripping the response of the Australian Federal Government, which continues to insist that schools should remain open.
Ardern declared that New Zealand will effectively shut down within 48 hours as the country moves to head off any larger spread of COVID-19 at the pass.
New Zealand officials have so far registered 102 cases of coronavirus, including two cases of person-to-person transmission with no known origin, suggesting transmission of the virus is on the brink of breaking out in Kiwi communities.
Despite the relatively low numbers of cases – particularly in comparison to Australia – Ardern today moved to implement tough and concisely defined measures in a bid to curtail the spread.
Ardern asserted that the country was now at level 3 of their coronavirus alert scale, and would be moving the country to level 4 in 48 hours.
“These decisions will place the most significant restrictions on New Zealanders’ movements in modern history,” Ardern stated. “This is not a decision taken lightly. But it is our best chance to slow the virus and to save lives.”
The restrictions announced by Ardern mandate that all indoor and outdoor activities cannot take place, all non-essential businesses – including businesses offering takeaway food – must close, and that schools will be closed to a majority of students immediately.
Ardern stated that schools will remain open for the children of “essential” workers – i.e. health professionals and emergency services workers – to allow those parents time to prepare adequately. However after Wednesday, all schools in New Zealand will be closed completely.
The unprecedented measures are being implemented in a bid to capitalise on a “window of opportunity” to get on top of the virus before it gets to a point like it has in Australia, where it is likely to disrupt normal life for several months and devastate the local economy.
Officials in New Zealand are hopeful these stringent measures will only have to be in place for four weeks, although they will likely be extended indefinitely in the event the virus jumps containment lines in the community.
Ardern pleaded with all New Zealanders who are not in essential services to stay home at all times, with the only exceptions being for travelling to the supermarket to buy supplies, visit a pharmacy or doctor’s surgery, or going to a bank.
New Zealand Government officials also offered extra protection for workers affected by measures, effectively guaranteeing support for any worker whose job cannot be performed from home during the shutdown.
