New Zealand targets 90% vaccination to end lockdowns

New Zealand set a 90% vaccination target on Friday to end lockdowns, while Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern unveiled a plan to open up despite the stubborn grip of the delta variable.

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“We have reviewed all the evidence, spoken to experts, studied our situation modeling and set a goal of 90% complete vaccination for every health district in New Zealand.”Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Friday. “We can’t ask vaccinated people to stay home forever”She added, by shifting its goal from completely eradicating Covid-19 to reducing its spread in society through ramping up vaccinations.

About 86% of eligible New Zealanders received their first dose of the vaccine and 68% were fully vaccinated.

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Jacinda Ardern has received widespread praise for her initial response to the coronavirus, which included strict containment measures, strict contact tracing and strict border restrictions. Its “Covid zero” policy left only 28 dead out of five million people and life was almost normal for long periods. But the prime minister said the strategy was no longer viable due to the highly contagious delta variant that was discovered in Auckland in August. “Its tentacles have reached our communities and it is difficult to get rid of them, even using the best public health measures and the strictest restrictions available to us”She said.

Ms Ardern said the new policy would give hope to the nearly two million Auckland residents who have been under strict restrictions for nine weeks. “If you want summer, if you want to go to bars and restaurants, get vaccinated”, did she say. “If you are vaccinated, you will be able to enjoy the things you love, knowing that the people around you and the environment you live in are as safe as possible in the world of Covid.”, she added.