Published 12:13 IST, March 23rd 2020

New Zealand announces closure of non-essential services to curb COVID-19 spread

New Zealand on Monday decided to close all non-essential services, schools, and offices, as announced by PM Jacinda Ardern amid coronavirus outbreak.

Reported by: Vishal Tiwari
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New Zealand on March 22 decided that it will move to its highest alert level imposing self-isolation, with all n-essential services, schools, and offices to be shut over next 48 hours as number of coronavirus cases rises more than double. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said se decisions will place most significant restriction on New Zealanders’ movements in modern history, but it was needed to save lives and slow virus.

Closing n-essential services 

Arden while dressing nation in a press conference said that entire nation is preparing to go into self-isolation. number of coronavirus cases in New Zealand shot up to 102, more than double since March 20, as country reported 36 new infections. New Zealand has h deaths. Furr, she said that if community transmission takes off in New Zealand, number of cases will double every five days. Moreover, if that happens unchecked, health system of country will be inundated, and thousands of people will die. 

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Arden explained that a nationwide lockdown was important and is also a simple way to constrain virus that gives it place to go and will give our healthcare system a fighting chance. She said that cabinet agreed that effective immediately, country of 5 million people would move into alert level 3 nationwide, and after 48 hours it will be at highest level 4. New Zealand has alrey closed its borders to foreigners.

Ardern said all bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas, pools, museums, libraries, playgrounds and any or place where public congregate must close ir face-to-face function. She said supermarkets, doctors, pharmacies, service stations, access to essential banking services will all be available throughout New Zealand at every alert level.

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Australia, which has thousands of COVID-19 cases, started lockdown measures on March 22 but has stopped short of self-isolation. New Zealand’s bourse reacted immediately to anuncement plunging 10 percent to biggest intray percent drop ever. Finance Minister Grant Robertson said all rents will be frozen and government will anunce furr support for ecomy in coming days.

Schools will be closed from Tuesday, except for children of essential workers such as our doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and police. Schools will close entirely from midnight on Wednesday. All indoor and outdoor events will be canceled. All workplaces were asked to implement alternative ways of working.

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12:13 IST, March 23rd 2020