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New Zealand cracked down on a few dozen infections and is now celebrating a “milestone” in fighting the virus.
As Europe enters a worrying autumn, hope is sprouting in New Zealand’s spring: according to the government, the country has the crown situation under control, for the second time since the pandemic began.
That’s a great milestone. New Zealanders have once again silenced the virus with their joint action, ”said Health Minister Chris Hipkins.
You simply cannot fight the enemy if you don’t know where they are hiding.
New Zealand declared corona-free in June and returned to fairly normal daily life, until local infections appeared in the metropolis of Auckland in August. Authorities quickly ordered a second shutdown. True to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s motto: “Go hard, go early” (Eng. “Intervene early and without concessions”).
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has gained worldwide recognition for her stewardship of the crown.
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“New Zealand immediately adopted strict measures and did not hesitate for long, as has been the case in other countries,” says Urs Wältin, who is watching the situation from neighboring Australia. The government also follows the mantra of epidemiologists: tests, tests, tests. That was also a means to success, according to Wolderlin. “You just can’t fight the enemy if you don’t know where he’s hiding.”
Nation proven lockdown
Currently, no one knows how long New Zealand’s crown will be free. Health Minister Hipkins urged his compatriots to remain vigilant to avoid a relapse. Otherwise, he might say a third time, “Go hard, go early.” That is likely to test people’s discipline.
It is true that there has been isolated opposition to the government’s shutdown policy in recent months. “But, and that is very gratifying: there was great solidarity very quickly,” reports the SRF employee. For example, many people would have deliberately shopped at smaller cafes and restaurants that they had to change to take away.
The island nation in the South Pacific has had no new local infections for 12 days.
Keystone
Still, New Zealand has weathered the crisis lightly so far. There are only 1508 confirmed cases of corona and “only” 25 deaths that were infected with the virus. “At the core of fighting the virus was the idea of the common good,” says Wolderlin.
The Ardern government had managed to convince the population that it was an existential threat to the country. Despite all the justified praise for Ardern’s leadership strength, Wolderlin also indulges in a “heretical comment”: “New Zealand is an island nation. You can’t just go in, that makes it easier to lock up. “
