As of April 26, New Zealand has limited the number of Covid-19 infections to 1,470, with 1,142 people having already recovered, thanks to the lockdown that began on March 26. The number of hospitalized patients is also low, with only eight (one of whom is in intensive care), and the number of seriously injured patients is low, with 18 deaths. In addition, the number of tests conducted is 120,981, which is 25,088 per million people, far exceeding Japan's 1,166 and the United States' 16,064.
In response to these results, the government has decided to extend the lockdown slightly beyond the original four-week period, with the lockdown set to end at 11.59pm today, April 27th, and to lower the alert level from four to three.
Level 3: You can expand your "Bubble" a little
→ All you need to know about your bubble under level 3
Since the lockdown was decided, we have been hearing the word "Bubble" a lot in the news from New Zealand.
Your bubble is the minimum group of people you should be around during lockdown.
According to the government's coronavirus response website, Unite against COVID-19 :
Alert Level 4 means you can only have in-person contact with the people in your household (also referred to as your bubble).
At alert level 4, you should limit your contacts to your household (also known as your bubble)
It states that.
Under the current Level 4 lockdown, people are prohibited from having contact with anyone other than those living in the same household (home bubble), and essential workers in hospitals and supermarkets are prohibited from having contact with anyone other than those they work with (work bubble), but under Level 3, they are permitted to spread their bubbles out a little.
However, this is also being asked to keep it to a minimum, such as limiting it to close family members and people who need it (such as caregivers), and for people who are spending lockdown with one or two people with a small bubble to expand their bubble a little. Specifically, it is one or two people. And it is to be kept within the same area. However, this is good news, especially for those who have been spending lockdown with a small number of people.
By the way, in addition to her family who live with her at home, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda belongs to a work bubble to carry out her duties as Prime Minister, but in an interview she said that there is "no hairdresser" in this work bubble. I wondered how she managed to do it because her hair is so beautiful every day, but it turns out she does it all herself.
The 100% home cooking lifestyle is over, takeaway is now available
During the lockdown in New Zealand, all restaurants were closed. Everyone cooked at home during the lockdown. This was very difficult for families, especially those with many children!
At Level 3, restaurants are allowed to start offering take-out or delivery services.
Many Kiwis seem to be looking forward to the reopening of fast food restaurants such as McDonald's and KFC.
And there is a growing movement to support local cafes and restaurants. New Zealand is a country with so many privately owned cafes that Starbucks is unable to increase the number of its stores.
On social media such as Facebook, information about the stores that will reopen is being shared, and Prime Minister Ardern also mentioned this at today's press conference.
"We're looking forward to being able to support local cafes and other independently-run businesses that have been forced to close for a long time (as takeaway services start)."
He said.
However, even though take-out and delivery are now possible, customers are being asked to avoid contact between staff and customers, and to pay using apps or online payments. In fact, New Zealand is a country where cashless transactions are quite common, so there is likely to be little confusion.
McDonald's New Zealand reopens drive-thru and delivery services
Carelessness is the enemy! Level 3 is 2 weeks
New Zealand has been receiving worldwide praise and attention for its success in containing the coronavirus thanks to a nationwide lockdown that was implemented with the whole country working together.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in particular has been praised by media around the world.
→ New Zealand's Prime Minister May Be the Most Effective Leader on the Planet
→ CNN praises Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand COVID-19 response
Certainly, there are benefits to having a small population of less than 5 million, but the government's quick response and the cooperative efforts of the Kiwis are impressive.
The alert level will be lowered to Level 3 tomorrow, April 28th, for two weeks, but it has not yet been decided what will happen after that. The next steps will be considered while monitoring the situation.
We need to continue to be vigilant so that the one-month lockdown efforts that have inconvenienced people all over New Zealand are not wasted.
"If you have even the slightest bit of sore throat or cough, get tested right away."
They are also being asked to cooperate with the inspection.
The world continues to pay close attention to New Zealand's future actions as it enters Level 3.
