Jun 12

Jun 12 Coronavirus Update #15

Well folks, this is going to be my last coronavirus update for the time being. Why? This week New Zealand declared itself “corona-free” as the last active case recovered and we’ve gone three weeks without any new cases. Additionally, there hasn’t been any sign of community spread, so we moved from Level 2 to Level 1, which removes all social distancing barriers and business restrictions. So outside of the border remaining shut, it is life back to normal within New Zealand.

The big questions is: can it stay that way? There are strict measures on who can come into the country (citizens and existing residents) as well as how they are able to enter (currently in a managed 2 week quarantine.) These measures have successfully kept new cases out, but the government is clear to state that they fully expect new cases to pop up. We shouldn’t be complacent and we cannot let our guard down.

However, this week I’m enjoying the return to normalcy and cautiously optimistic that new cases will be caught and stopped at the quarantine hotels where everyone will be tested on day 5 and 12 of their stay regardless of symptoms.

There are still a lot of lingering issues that New Zealand will need to address. I’m going to list them below along with websites that will provide updates and new information as decisions are made, revised, and change. I think we all realize that the coronavirus situation is fluid and changes happen all the time.