Breaking the Covid chain
Country into lockdown to stop virus
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has lifted the country’s coronavirus alert status to level 3.
All non-essential services now had to close, she said, and all schools will close she told the country . The Prime Minister said these moves would save the lives of tens of thousands of New Zealanders.
By tomorrow afternoon the alert level would be raised to level 4 and Ardern said these measures will remain in place for a minimum of four weeks.
Areas could have alert level 4 lifted depending on how Covid-19 is present, but that depended on what happened in the next month.
Once you detect it, it moves very quickly. That is why we are moving now.”
She said it would take a concerted effort in the next four weeks, including rigorous monitoring of transmission.
The change was because of the confirmation of community transmission, but allowing 48 hours at alert level 3 so people could “get their things in order” before New Zealand moved to alert level 4.
Essential services would still be open at all alert levels, she said.
She said when people were visiting essential services, physical distancing should still be practiced.
Schools would close from today, except for those people who work in essential services with kids at schools. All schools would close from Wednesday.
Without these measures, up to tens of thousands of people could die, according to medical modelling considered by Cabinet yesterday.
“The worst-case scenario is simply intolerable,” she said. It would be the greatest loss of life to a single event in New Zealand’s history.
“I hope that you are all with me on that decision.” She the Government had done all it could to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and now the Government was asking the New Zealand public to do the same.
The measures would hit the economy hard, but they were necessary, she said.
She asked people not to selfpolice the measures.
“People are afraid and they are anxious, We will play the role of enforcer.
“Now is the time to put our plans into action. We are fortunate to be in some way behind the majority of overseas countries in terms of cases . . . but act now or risk the virus taking hold.”
She said the situation was moving at pace “and so must we”.
As at yesterday afternoon there had been 36 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number in New Zealand to 102 confirmed cases. Two of those cases are now considered community transmission cases.
“If community transmission takes off in New Zealand, the number of cases will double every five days.”
That would lead to health systems overwhelmed and the potential for tens of thousands of New Zealand deaths, she said.
“Our plan is simple. We can stop the spread by staying at home and reducing contact. Now is the time to act.”
All New Zealanders not in essential services are now being asked to stay at home, but leaving the house for exercise or for a walk was still allowed.
“It must be solitary,” she said, and being outside meant keeping a 2m distance from others. People could also go outside with those they shared a house with.
Public transport will only be available for people in essential services, or to move essential goods or people in essential services.