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Coronavirus pandemic
AsiaAustralasia

Coronavirus: New Zealand has ‘won battle’ as undetected community transmission ends

  • Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand has achieved its goal of eliminating community transmission, but warned about complacency
  • The country is to ease lockdown restrictions, with 400,000 set to return to work as some shops and schools reopen

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New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern briefs the media about the Covid-19 outbreak and how the country has eliminated widespread community transmission. Photo: AFP
Agence France-Presse,dpaandReuters
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday claimed New Zealand had scored a significant victory against the spread of the coronavirus, as the country began a phased exit from lockdown.

“There is no widespread, undetected community transmission in New Zealand,” Ardern declared. “We have won that battle.”

After nearly five weeks at the maximum Level Four restrictions – with only essential services operating – the country will move to Level Three late on Monday. That will allow some businesses, takeaway food outlets and schools to reopen.

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New Zealand Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield briefs media about the Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: AFP
New Zealand Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield briefs media about the Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: AFP

But Ardern warned there was no certainty about when all transmission can be eliminated, allowing a return to normal life.

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Everyone wants to “bring back the social contact that we all miss”, she said, “but to do it confidently we need to move slowly and we need to move cautiously”.

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