Jacinda Ardern continues to be a shining light for world leaders across the globe, today announcing that all coronavirus restrictions will be lifted across New Zealand.
At a press conference in Wellington, the NZ Prime Minister declared that there are now zero active cases of COVID-19, and that our friends across the ditch “are ready” to get back to normal.
It’s an incredible achievement, and we might be just a tad jealous. Jacinda Ardern was full of praise for her citizens, remarking that Kiwis has “united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus.”
From midnight on Monday, the PM said her people can live in a way “where life feels as normal as we can in the time of a global pandemic.” She also told reporters that she “did a little dance” when she first heard the news about zero active cases.
Okay yep, can she please be our leader now?
New Zealand sprung into action early on during the pandemic, shutting down the country on March 25 when only 200 cases had been reported.
Over the last few months, cases never rose above 1,500, and 22 people died of coronavirus-related issues.
If you’re keeping an eye on when Aussies can fly over to see our nearby neighbours, you might need to wait a bit longer. Strict border controls will remain in place, and only NZ nationals and their families are allowed to enter the country.
Ardern wouldn’t be drawn on when restrictions might lift on travel, and also warned that things could change. “We almost certainly see cases here again,” she said. “That is not a sign that we have failed; it is a reality of this virus.”
Other countries to have reported no active cases include Montenegro, Fji and the Faroe Islands.
As of June 7, the Australian Government Department Of Health reported 3 current COVID-19 intensive care cases and 18 cases currently being treated in hospital.
Australia’s first vaccine trials started late last month, so here’s hoping we get some good news soon!
Check out Jacinta Ardern’s coronavirus announcement:
