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From May 23 to June 14, 2020, New Zealand experienced admittedly zero new coronavirus cases. These numbers stand in stark dissimilarity to the totals coming in from many other countries effectually the world, including the Usa, which reported more than 500,000 new cases during that fourth dimension.

Throughout 2020, New Zealand experienced a few spikes in positive cases: In Baronial, positive COVID-nineteen infections peaked at 19 cases, and, in Oct, officials recorded a high of 25 positive cases. Although there has been no community transmission of the novel coronavirus in New Zealand since November eighteen, 2020, around 10 cases were recorded in mid-December, stemming from the travelers using the country'due south extensive hotel quarantine system.

All of this to say, New Zealand has continued to keep novel coronavirus cases at bay. To date, New Zealand has seen 2,181 cases of COVID-19, whereas, to date, the United States has seen a staggering 20.7 1000000 cases. The disparity between these infection rates has prompted many to question just how New Zealand was able to "shell" COVID-19. Amidst fears of a new strain of the virus, New Zealand is continuing to exercise circumspection and, in doing so, has set an example we could all learn from.

Free Community Testing

While the initial testing procedures in New Zealand instructed healthcare workers to only examination those who had recently traveled and were experiencing multiple COVID-xix symptoms, the country speedily eased these restrictions to allow for greater testing. New Zealand has nearly 4.eight 1000000 people, and, to date, fewer than .03% of the population has caught the novel coronavirus to engagement.

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Part of the country's success can be attributed to but how early on the testing began. Between late February and late May 2020, nearly 6% of the country's population was tested for COVID-19. Gratis voluntary testing was offered in supermarkets all across the country, allowing scientists to become a glimpse into small and large communities and monitor if the virus was still infecting new people in those areas.

If the New Zealand government had waited to secure testing supplies for its citizens and failed to implement widespread testing procedures, it's possible the virus could accept spread much faster. Individuals with confirmed diagnoses of COVID-19 must isolate themselves to remove the risk to their community, and widespread testing makes that safety measure possible. With greater testing comes greater societal safety, shorter lockdown periods and more than rapid medical response to those who need information technology the near.

Three days before New Zealand experienced its first existent respite from COVID-19, the country's Ministry of Health released the NZ COVID Tracer app. This smartphone/tablet application encourages citizens to set upwards an business relationship with their personal information and and so allow the app to monitor their movements via scannable QR codes on the exteriors of buildings. GPS features may be added in the future.

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Users who access the app tin also study troubling symptoms. After the symptoms are reviewed, the user may be referred to a nearby testing facility. If they exam positive, they will receive an abundance of data about self-isolating at home, or they tin immediately seek treatment at a medical heart.

Contact tracing has allowed the regime to deploy supplies and services to those with the greatest demand. While some may non approve of the monitoring aspect involved in contact tracing, it has helped quell the coronavirus outbreak. With each passing calendar week, contact tracing helps eliminate the resurgence of new cases.

Shelter-in-Place Policies

Stay-at-habitation pleas and campaigns oftentimes came too late and received too picayune enforcement in countries such as Italy, England and the United States. New Zealand's citizens began self-isolating in March, and they took the shelter-in-place mentality seriously. Without a doubt, information technology helped that the nation'due south Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, used Facebook to communicate with her fellow Kiwis throughout the shelter-in-identify period. Her downwards-to-earth nature, friendliness and requests for kindness and agreement helped encourage others to follow adjust. Citizens were immune to leave their homes for essential needs, just the streets quickly became barren places.

With the majority of the population staying condom in their homes, the customs spread of the virus immediately stagnated and, for a long time, ceased. Over the summer, the regime launched a campaign urging folks with a cough to "sit this one out," creating a communal spirit around fighting the spread of the virus, all while acknowledging the challenges of lockdown. This trend is one of the most powerful examples of what a dedicated, empathetic and careful customs can do to protect themselves from COVID-19. Because this mutual lockdown was so successful, the land began to lift restrictions only a month or and then afterward its initial inception.

Consistent Communication

Communication betwixt the New Zealand government and its people has been uncommonly straightforward and clear during the COVID-xix pandemic. More often than not, this communication came in the form of Prime number Minister Jacinda Ardern's Facebook chats, although official press conferences were held before and later the shelter-in-place period.

Notwithstanding, the people in New Zealand saw their elected leader taking farthermost measures to protect herself, her family and her fellow citizens from catching the novel coronavirus. She had no qualms about washing her hands, restricting her outdoor movement and activities, and using a face mask and gloves when she had to buy groceries.

She provided an excellent example for others to follow, and she made a habit of logging on and opening a dialogue betwixt herself and her constituents via Facebook Live. These consequent and heartfelt updates kept citizens informed and at-home and ultimately helped curb connected panic-buying and stockpiling.

Conscientious Residents

While the Prime Minister was administering hopeful talks from dwelling house, the people were listening. For the near part, every New Zealand resident took the growing threat of infection seriously and did their part to reduce the spread of COVID-nineteen.

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This waterfall of protective action began with government suggestions and ended at home, where parents discussed condom measures and social distancing with their children. Before schools began to shut, instructors prepared their students past addressing personal health and safety techniques (mitt washing, wearing a mask, not touching your eyes or mouth).

Continued Efforts in 2021

In mid-June 2020, New Zealand reported its outset new cases in more than than three weeks when two women re-entering the land from the United kingdom tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Thanks to contact tracing, officials were able to monitor the 302 individuals that the two women came into contact with, thus mitigating a serious outbreak.

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Since that scare, New Zealand'south Prime Government minister deployed military personnel to enforce proper quarantine processes for travelers. While the state did close its borders for a time, information technology reopened them to citizens with a strict hotel quarantine procedure in place. That is, travelers are required to show a negative COVID-nineteen test before their divergence and, upon their arrival, must undergo a two-week quarantine process.

Then far, this system has helped adjourn infection rates — and it'southward clear that this kind of caution volition be particularly instrumental as countries effectually the globe navigate the new strain of COVID-nineteen that's cropped up in the United Kingdom. All of this to say, remaining vigilant seems to be the best course of activeness — one that other countries effectually the globe could stand up to replicate.