New Zealand lifts its latest pandemic restrictions

It was one of the countries with the most severe and long-standing restrictions in the world. there New Zealand It adopted the so-called “Zero Covid” strategy in order to eradicate the epidemic in the archipelago.

On Tuesday, the New Zealand government announced the lifting of all remaining measures related to the fight against COVID-19more than three years after it was first implemented, Reuters reports.

Health Minister Aisha Viral said in a statement that it was no longer necessary to do so Wear a mask in healthcare facilities or self-isolate for seven days after contracting the virus.

Lifting measures in 2022

“The number of cases will continue to fluctuate, but we haven’t seen the dramatic spikes that characterized Covid-19 rates last year. This, combined with the population’s immunity levels, means we (are) able to safely raise the remaining requirements,” the minister said.

However, the latter clarified that people who are “sick or who have tested positive” have been advised to stay home for five days.

Most restrictions, including the strict travel ban, were lifted last year. vaccination rates Having reached high levels and the country’s hospitals managed to get through the Australian winter without being overwhelmed.

3,249 deaths from Covid-19

The announcement comes two months before a controversial election. The prolonged restrictions led to large protests a few months ago, culminating in violent clashes outside the New Zealand Parliament.

from his side, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins He said officially ending the restrictions was an “important step”. “I think New Zealanders can be very proud of what we’ve achieved together,” he told a news conference.

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“We stayed at home, made sacrifices, got vaccinated, and there is no doubt that we saved lives,” he added.

He also said that 3,249 New Zealanders, out of a population of 5 million, have died from Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Original article published on BFMTV.com