WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – It was announced on Sunday that New Zealanders are facing new Govt-19 restrictions following the discovery of nine cases of the omigran variant of the virus in a family that traveled to Auckland for a wedding this month. Ordnance.
The so-called “red stage” of the response to an infection involves the compulsory use of masks and limitations in crowds. The measures came into effect on Monday.
“This is not a lock,” Ardern stressed, adding that businesses may still be open and people may still be able to visit family and friends and move around the country freely.
“In the first phase, our plan to manage Omigran cases is similar to that of Delta, where we will conduct diagnostic tests, find contacts and quickly isolate cases and contacts to prevent expansion,” the president told reporters in Wellington.
New Zealand is one of only a handful of countries to have survived the outbreak of the Omigran variant, although Ardern acknowledged last week that the outbreak was inevitable because the variant was particularly contagious.
The country was able to control the expansion of the delta variant with an average of about 20 cases per day. But he has seen an increase in the number of people who come to the country and go for forced isolation because they are suffering from Omigran disease.
This made the isolated system difficult and while deciding what to do about reopening the borders, it provoked the government to restrict access to returning citizens, much to the chagrin of many who wished to return to New Zealand.
93% of New Zealanders aged 12 and over have completed the vaccine and 52% have received the booster dose. The country has started vaccinating children between the ages of 5 and 11.
The family from the Nelson-Marlborough area attended a wedding and other events while staying in Auckland, where they interacted with “more than 100 people”, according to estimates, Artern said.
“That is, Omigran is already in circulation in Auckland and the Nelson-Marlborough region, otherwise it would not be anywhere else,” he added.
Moving to the red position personally affected the order as well. The Prime Minister was due to get married next weekend, but the celebration was postponed due to new restrictions.
“I connect with many New Zealanders who have had similar experiences as a result of the epidemic, and anyone else who has been in that situation: I’m very sorry,” he said.
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