“We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now.”
New Zealand will lift almost all Covid-19 restrictions apart from border controls as the country announced it had cleared all of its known cases of the virus.
Health officials reported on Monday that the last person known to have the virus in the country has recovered.
There have been no new cases in 17 days and until Monday, just one known active case in the country.
The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said all coronavirus restrictions, except those at their international border would be lifted at midnight on Monday night.
For now, the country remains closed off to all but citizens and residents with a few exceptions.
“We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now, but elimination is not a point in time, it is a sustained effort,” Ardern said at a news conference.
“We almost certainly will see cases here again, and I do want to say that again, we will almost certainly see cases here again, and that is not a sign that we have failed, it is a reality of this virus.
“But if and when that occurs we have to make sure, and we are, that we are prepared.”
However, there are no restrictions in place domestically as the final measures are eased.
“We can hold public events without limitations. Private events such as weddings, functions and funerals without limitations,” Ardern said.
“Retail is back without limitations. Hospitality is back without limitations. Public transport and travel across the country is fully opened.”
Zealand had just 1,500 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in total with 22 deaths.
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