However, social withdrawal is still encouraged, and Ardern said that New Zealand’s international borders will remain closed to non-residents to prevent new outbreaks. Those who come to New Zealand will still need to quarantine for two weeks.

“Despite the continued role of your border controls to keep the virus out, the virus will remain in our world for a while,” Ardern said at a press conference Monday. Said.

New Zealand’s locking program

The first coronavirus case was confirmed in New Zealand on February 28 – more than a month after the U.S. confirmed its first infection.

On March 14, the country’s six cases, Ardern announced that everyone who entered the country should have self-isolation for two weeks, which was among the most difficult border restrictions in the world at that time. Foreign nationals were banned from entering the country on 20 March.

Days later, on March 23 – without death and 102 confirmed cases – Ardern announced that the country was entering “third level” lockdown. Unnecessary businesses were closed, events and meetings were canceled, and schools were closed to all children except basic workers.

Employers were told to give as much work permit as possible, public transport was reserved for basic workers, and discretionary indoor air travel was banned between regions.

At midnight on March 25, New Zealand passed to the strictest level 4 crash, and people said they should not leave the house, except for basic exercise, while maintaining social distance.

On April 9, despite the drop in cases, Ardern tightened the border restrictions so that all citizens and permanent residents arriving in New Zealand had to be quarantined for two weeks at an approved facility, not at home.

Bubble stalls travel?

Both countries have mostly controlled local coronavirus outbreaks and have large tourism industries that are severely affected by common travel restrictions.

However, Ardern warned on Monday that such a corridor could still be months away.

“I don’t want New Zealand companies and even Kiwis who wants to travel across the moat to make a wrong start. I prefer to share the timelines when we’re much more precise.” Said.

“(Australia) is making progress by the state, but not universal.”