{"id":1673,"date":"2020-11-14T14:29:22","date_gmt":"2020-11-14T14:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewitnessexet.wpengine.com\/?p=1673"},"modified":"2021-01-13T10:15:53","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T10:15:53","slug":"covid-19-response-report-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewitnessexeter.co.uk\/?p=1673","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Response Report – New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>5 Minute, 56 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n

In June 2020, New Zealand\u2019s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, danced<\/a> to celebrate the end of the COVID-19 pandemic within the country\u2019s borders. While the rest of the world prepares<\/a> for the \u2018second wave\u2019 of the virus the citizens of New Zealand (NZ) have been engaging in a level of normality which is far out of reach for most. In total, the country has had under 2,000 cases, and only 25 deaths (as of 11th<\/sup> November 2020). It is indisputable that, in terms of lives lost, New Zealand has had one of the best COVID-19 responses in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did New Zealand achieve this?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of February, weeks prior to the first confirmed case on New Zealand soil on the 28th<\/sup> of the month, the country began the shutdown of its borders. Arrivals from or via China were banned<\/a>, while NZ citizens returning from China were required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their arrival. Despite this early, and unprecedented, intervention, Ardern announced<\/a> that the virus was expected to eventually arrive on the island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just over a month later, on 19th<\/sup> March 2020, NZ took the step alongside Australia of shutting<\/a> its borders to all non-residents. Few other countries took similar steps, and many \u2013 such as the UK \u2013 continue to allow international arrivals with little enforcement<\/a> of isolation rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand\u2019s period of nationwide lockdown began on 25th<\/sup> March 2020, when the number of cases stood at only 102 with zero deaths. The measures of full-scale lockdown \u2013 known as \u2018Alert Level 4\u2019 matches<\/a> that of other nations with the closure of all barre essential businesses and clear instructions to stay at home. The World Health Organization (WHO) praised<\/a> NZ for its fast response to COVID by \u201cisolating cases, reducing contact and testing\u201d to eliminate COVID-19. Just 75 days later, on 8th<\/sup> June, the country declared<\/a> itself to be COVID-19 free and lifted all lockdown restrictions after two weeks without new cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 1:<\/a> New Zealand COVID-19 case numbers <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Public unity was encouraged by the government surrounding the lockdown with the population being asked<\/a> to unite as a \u201cteam of five million\u201d to protect their community. The success of the short lockdown resulted in the avoidance of the public apathy connected to lockdowns across the world. When surveyed<\/a> about COVID-19, 84% of New Zealanders approved of how their government was handling the outbreak. Across the G7 nations, this number was an average of just 54%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 2: <\/a>Chart showing citizen’s approval of the way their country is handling the COVID-19 pandemic <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Contact tracing began<\/a> on 19th<\/sup> May 2020 with the introduction of a government-created \u2018app\u2019 which Prime Minister Ardern described<\/a> as a \u201cdigital diary\u201d which utilized QR codes to record where citizens have been \u2013 much like the UK model. Much like other countries, the launch of this method of contract tracing was not as smooth as anticipated with reports of the app being \u2018clunky\u2019 and failing to work on older phones. However, despite these issues by early September 2020, 2.1 million<\/a> New Zealanders had downloaded the Covid Tracer App \u2013 just under 43% of the population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This number is a significant improvement upon the figures seen in European countries. Around the same period, under 4%<\/a> of France\u2019s population had downloaded their tracing app, and around 15%<\/a> of the population of the UK have downloaded NHS track and trace (as of 27th<\/sup> September 2020.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside contact tracing, NZ implemented a rigorous testing regime in which<\/a> \u201ctens of thousands\u201d of tests were conducted in some of its largest cities. The government website<\/a> clearly documents the level of testing taking place and since the start of the pandemic 1,155, 514<\/a> tests have been administered in NZ (as of November 12th, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 3:<\/a> Daily COVID-19 tests completed in New Zealand (with seven-day rolling average)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand\u2019s response to COVID-19 has been one characterized by efficiency, and stability in the choices announced by the government. However, there have been issues that need to be acknowledged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Bumps\u2019 along the way?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just 9 days after declaring itself to be COVID-19 free, New Zealand found itself to be dealing with two infected British women being allowed to leave quarantine without being tested. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that it was an \u201cunacceptable failure\u201d on behalf of health officials who allowed the women a compassionate exemption from isolation without testing them first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was an embarrassing turn for the New Zealand government after an almost flawless COVID-policy run prior to this event. Despite this, in August the government was still able to credibly mark 100 days<\/a> without community COVID-19 transmission in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much like the rest of the world, New Zealand is currently facing a recession following its national lockdown. Between April and June, the country\u2019s GDP shrank by 12.2%,<\/a> placing the country into its worst recession since 1987. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When surveyed about personal income, 74% of those who answered said COVID-19 already had, or they expected it would affect their personal income. Similarly, 80% stated that their household income had also been, or expected it would be, affected. Across the G7 countries, these figures were 71% and 70% respectively with the category of income already having been impacted considerably lower than New Zealand\u2019s numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 4:<\/a> Charts showing the impact of COVID-19 on both personal and household income<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In response to the hardships being felt by their citizens, the Prime Minister, and her ministers, took a 20%<\/a> pay cut in solidarity with those suffering financially during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the economic downturn, a Bloomberg Media survey ranked as the best country in terms of political stability, economic recovery, virus control, and social resilience following COVID-19. This has created hope for a swift economic recovery for New Zealand, with UK financial experts stating<\/a> that the country will be more favourable for investors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where are they now?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand faced a small second wave of COVID-19 but was quick to declare themselves free of the virus once again on 7th October 2020. Despite this, as of 12th<\/sup> November 2020, there are 53 active cases in the country \u2013 with this number including 47 on the border. The low number of community cases \u2013 which currently stands at 6 \u2013 gives hope that COVID-19 will not once again spread within the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacinda Ardern\u2019s Labour Party stayed in power following the 17th<\/sup> October 2020 election where they won a massive 49.1%<\/a> of the votes. This was a clear indication of public approval of the government\u2019s handling of the pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand is unarguably in a better place than the\nmajority of the world. Their response to COVID-19 was consistent and effective\nat removing the virus from their shores. It is unclear as of yet when the\ncountry will fully re-open its borders, but with a second wave taking hold\nacross the globe it is unlikely anyone will be heading off for a New Zealand\nholiday with ease anytime soon. <\/p>\n

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