Madhurima
WELLINGTON: All the domestic restrictions imposed in New Zealand got lifted on Monday, June 8, once the last COVID-19 patient in the country was recovered. Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern admitted that she danced around in her living room when she was greeted with the good news.
Although the strict protocols for the borders will still be kept intact, Ardern revealed that social distancing and ban on public gatherings are being lifted.
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The New Zealand Prime Minister on her televised address mentioned, "We are confident we have eliminated the transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now. The Kiwis have united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus."
The nation which is situated in South Pacific, with a population of around 5 million merely had 1,154 COVID-19 positive cases and 22 deaths.
It has also been observed that no new cases were detected in the last 17 days and until Monday, just one positive case for more than 1 week.
Arden mentioned that the sacrifices which were made by the residents which included a strict 7-week lockdown helped flatten the curve of the increasing COVID-19 cases. There are now no active cases in the country.
When asked how she reacted to the news, she said, "I did a little dance with my baby daughter Neve. She was caught a little by surprise but she joined in, having absolutely no idea why I was dancing around the lounge."
The Prime Minister also said that easing the restrictions will also help with the country's economy.
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"We now have a head start on economic recovery because at level one we become one of the most open, if not the most open, economies in the world."
