New Zealand premier tightens lockdown to combat pandemic
>>WELLINGTON: New Zealand yesterday announced the world’s tightest border controls to combat the spread of coronavirus, requiring all incoming travellers, including its own citizens, to self-isolate for two weeks starting at midnight.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the extreme measures were needed to prevent the rapid spread of the virus.
“Alongside Israel, and a small number of Pacific Islands who have effectively closed their border, this decision will mean New Zealand will have the widest ranging and toughest border restrictions of any country in the world,” Ms Ardern said. The country has just six confirmed cases and has had no deaths, but Ms Ardern said that number inevitably would rise.
“That is why ultimately, we must go hard and we must go early. We must do everything we can to protect the health of New Zealanders,” she told reporters.
People from small South Pacific island nations, which have no confirmed Covid-19 cases, will be exempt from the self-isolation rule, Ms Ardern said.
And to protect those nations from the virus, New Zealand would impose strict exit measures, barring anyone who has been overseas from travelling to South Pacific islands for two weeks, and barring anyone who has had symptoms or been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 from travelling there.
The travel restrictions will be reviewed at the end of the March. Ms Ardern also encouraged all New Zealanders to reconsider all overseas trips.
Air New Zealand yesterday offered fare refunds or 12-month credit on the value of fares to anyone affected by the new restrictions. Qantas Airways and Virgin said they were assessing their responses.
“We know these travel restrictions will place significant strain on the aviation industry, and we anticipate some routes will reduce or cease for a period of time,” Ms Ardern said.