Wellington: New Zealand on Monday became the first country in the world to lift all domestic restrictions and declare itself COVID free.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed that she “did a little dance” in her living room when she was informed that the last corona positive patient in the country was cured.
“We are confident we have eliminated the transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now,” she said, adding that Kiwis had “united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus”.
Borders will still be strictly controlled but social distancing and public gathering measures have been lifted. Night clubs and movie theatres have reopened with the virus warning system moved down to Level-1. Sporting events with crowds will also reopen again.
With a population of just 5 million people, the country had 1,154 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases with 22 deaths. The country had implemented a seven-week lockdown.
There have been no new cases for 17 days now.
