NZ a Covid ‘haven’

For a second consecutive day, there are no new Covid-19 cases to report. But there is a possibility that community transmission will occur again in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described New Zealand as a ‘‘safe haven in a very dangerous world’’.

‘‘To avoid a second wave of Covid-19 we must continue in a phase of being on guard,’’ she said yesterday.

The director-general of health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, said while there was no evidence of community transmission at present, it was a ‘‘real possibility’’ in the future.

Various measures might be needed to counteract that, such as placing restrictions on local regions, rather than requiring ‘‘blanket measures’’ across the country.

Ardern did not rule out putting local regions into lockdown, should the need arise. She said the ‘‘ultimate aim’’ was to not be back in that position, but there was a need to always be prepared.

Bloomfield was monitoring the processes implemented in Melbourne, where suburbs have gone into lockdown to reduce the spread of the virus.

Ardern highlighted that Victoria was in a position of low cases and days of no cases just a few weeks ago. ‘‘It is an example of how easily the virus can take hold again and why vigilance is so important.’’

She added many countries who achieved similar success to New Zealand had experienced outbreaks again.

For the first time since June 18, no new Covid-19 cases were reported on Tuesday.

The number of active cases in New Zealand remained at 22.

All active cases had been caught at the border after returning from overseas and were in managed quarantine facilities. One person remained in Auckland City Hospital in a stable condition.