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National leader Simon Bridges wants the government to step out of the lockdown as planned next week and move to a lower coronavirus alert level.
Bridges told RNZ Morning report that New Zealand should break out of the level 4 block next week.
“When we think about the health effects of being locked up, I get a pretty clear view that we should be out of the lockdown next week,” said Bridges.
Bridges has been chairing a parliamentary committee tasked with investigating the government’s response to the Covid-19 challenge.
On Tuesday, Bridges heard from Brendan Murphy, Australia’s chief medical officer, roughly equivalent to the New Zealand chief health officer.
Australia has had some success in reducing its number of new Covid-19 cases, while allowing many more companies to remain open.
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Simon Bridges wants the country to prepare to get out of the running of the bulls next week.
However, Australia is likely to have its measures in place for longer and still has a much higher number of cases.
“I still say, at a high level, when we look at what Australia has done in terms of health and economy [it’s had] comparable health outcomes; it’s more economically economical to keep things going, “said Bridges.
“We should work safely to get workers and companies back,” said Bridges.
Bridges said the country should have the goal of reaching level 2.
“I am realistic, I am not suggesting that we will suddenly be at level 2 overnight,” he said.
He said the country had not overreacted to the closure, but it was also important to consider the effects of remaining in the closure for too long.
“There are real health effects from being locked up,” said Bridges.
“We can chew gum and walk at the same time about health and the economy,” he said.
The government will decide whether or not to extend the level 4 alert on April 20, two days before the end of the initial four-week period.
“I say that when the Cabinet makes the decision next week, I would urge them to go out and let many businesses and workers safely move on because the consequences of not doing so would be very damaging.”
