[ad_1]
The World Health Organization has issued a stern warning for countries that come out of lockdown too soon.
Eight months after the coronavirus pandemic, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has recognized people’s desire for normalcy to return.
At a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday, the director-general said the WHO fully supported efforts to reopen economies and societies, but wanted it to be done safely.
“No country can just pretend that the pandemic is over,” he said.
READ MORE:
* Coronavirus Live: Chris Hipkins Defends Reopening Schools, Hollywood Stars Try To Avoid Hotel Isolation
* Coronavirus: what reinfections could mean for the pandemic
* AM Show host Duncan Garner tested for coronavirus, ‘close affiliations’ with Mt Roskill group
* Coronavirus: Dr Ashley Bloomfield Supports WHO Warning, Vaccine May Not Be ‘Miracle Solution’ For Covid-19
* Covid-19: Should New Zealand Follow Sweden’s Path?
“If countries are serious about openness, they must get serious about suppressing transmission and saving lives.
“This may seem like an impossible balance, but it is not. It can be done and it has been done. But it can only be done if countries have control of the transmission.
Salvatore Di Nolfi / Keystone via AP
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
“The more control countries have over the virus, the more they can open up. Opening up without being in control is a recipe for disaster. “
Globally, more than 25.3 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More than 848,000 people have died from the virus.
The United States continues to have the highest number of cases, with more than 6 million confirmed cases and 183,000 deaths.
On Monday Auckland’s restrictions were lowered to “level 2.5”, level 2 with some additional restrictions. Schools and workplaces have reopened, with some distancing and hygiene requirements in place.
At level 2.5, social gatherings are still restricted to 10 people.
Mark Lennihan / AP
A woman passes a fence in front of a Brooklyn cemetery adorned with tributes to the victims of Covid-19 in New York, USA.
Masks are now also mandatory on all public transportation nationwide when at level 2 or higher.
Although some cases of the virus are still slowly appearing in the community, they are being linked to the Auckland group. Over the weekend, officials were confident the Auckland region was ready to lower alert levels.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff meets Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Crave Cafe on Auckland’s Morningside on Monday.
New Zealand continues with its Covid-19 elimination strategy. On Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that being at level 2 while “having to take down a group like this” had been anticipated by the government.
“Our system is good. It is designed to keep us on track with our elimination strategy at level 2, in the scenario we have now. But it will only work if people follow the lead. “
Ardern said he was confident the “fundamentals” were correct and said “New Zealand has proven to be agile.”
