New Zealand and Australia reported Dramatic Fall in COVID-19 Cases
New Zealand and Australia have got their control over coronavirus infection. They have started easing up the social distancing restrictions on Tuesday. Both countries reported dramatic falls in new coronavirus infections over recent weeks.
Prime Minister Statement
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said “We can say with confidence that we do not have community transmission in New Zealand. The trick now is to maintain that.” Both the countries reduced their COVID-19 alert from level 4, the highest level of restrictions.
Reopening of non-essential business
Some non-essential businesses, including food takeaways, health and education services will be allowed to reopen. People are still advised to stay at home unless they are a part of essential activities, such as buying groceries, working or exercising.
New Zealand followed strict lockdown
New Zealand implemented one of the world’s toughest lockdowns in mid-March. They shut down most businesses. The strict measures, high levels of acquiescence and isolated location helped authorities to reduce the number of new cases to a handful in recent days.
New Zealand reported three new infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,472. Of these, 1,214 recovered and just 19 died.
Australia followed a month-long closure
Australia also has achieved a similarly positive record. The authorities for now reopening Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach on Tuesday. This is a relief to local swimmers and surfers after a month-long closure. Ivan Ah Sam, a resident of the suburb said “It’ll be nice to be able to break up the long hours inside by getting down for a dip. Bondi’s not Bondi without the beach.”
Australia reported 12 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday and the infection rate has reduced from more than 25% in late March to less than 0.5% over the past week.
Restrictions Relaxed
After observing the decline in the infection spread, the federal and state governments are going to relax restrictions. This will include resuming elective surgeries, reopening some schools and allowing citizens to drive for longer distances.
Canberra has also benefited from its isolated measures and early decisions to ban travellers from China. Eventually, they closed all its borders together.
COVIDSafe app
The government performed an efficient testing and tracing regime. More than 2 million people downloaded a new contact-tracing mobile phone app within 24 hours of its launch this week.
The COVIDSafe app uses Bluetooth technology. The app will automatically log the details of other people using the app who come within 1.5 metres of their mobile phone. If the user tests positive for COVID-19, health authorities will be able to inform others who are also using the app.
Canberra said this app proved to be a boon to relax social distancing restrictions. The app technology is licensed from the Singapore government. The release of the app has raised privacy concerns. To rectify the concerns, the government has decided to pass laws to restrict access to the data to health professionals.
Hassan Vally, an epidemiologist at La Trobe University, said authorities took early measures to the threat of COVID-19 compared with some other governments. “There seemed to be denial initially in the UK, where Boris Johnson talked down the seriousness of the threat of the coronavirus. We took it seriously much earlier and put in place social distancing and closed businesses,” he said. But Prof Vally warned that there could be a spike in cases near future when the restrictions are lifted.
Countries easing lockdowns around the world are experiencing the new challenge to tackle new infections. Other nations where cases fell, including Singapore and China, have seen a rise in cases after initial successes.
