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New Zealand’s national state of emergency has been lifted, Civil Defense Minister Peeni Henare announced today.
As a result of the global outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand has been in a state of emergency from March 25. The seven-day state has been extended six times during alert levels 4 and 3.
However, today, just a few hours after the nation enters Alert Level 2, those restrictions were lifted.
“This move does not indicate that New Zealanders cease to be vigilant in protecting themselves and others from the virus. It is essential that we all meet the alert level requirements to ensure that we do not lose the gains that we have made,” said Henare.
“With fewer restrictions in place as we advance to Alert Level 2 on Thursday, and the decline in the number of Covid-19 cases, now is the appropriate time to lift the state of national emergency and move into a period of national transition “
New Zealand will have a national transition period to apply a coherent approach to civil defense emergency management, and will see the country move into the recovery phase of the Covid-19 response plan.
This will include preserving food, fuel and other essential supplies, as well as emergency powers for a new ‘National Recovery Manager’.
Civil Defense Director of Emergency Management Sarah Stuart-Black has been named National Recovery Manager, given access to special powers to assist with recovery.
The status of the emergency survey applies throughout New Zealand, Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.
New Zealand will move to Covid-19 Alert Level 2 later tonight.
