The New Zealand government will lift all remaining Covid-19 requirements this week, ending the world’s toughest Covid-19 pandemic rules after more than three years, reports RTE.
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall said in a statement that from tomorrow, people will no longer have to wear masks in healthcare facilities or self-isolate for seven days after contracting the virus.
“While our case numbers will continue to fluctuate, we have not seen the dramatic peaks that characterised Covid-19 rates last year. This, paired with the population’s immunity levels, means cabinet and I am advised we’re positioned to safely remove the remaining Covid-19 requirements,” Ms Verrall said, reports RTE.
Most of the restrictions were lifted last year as vaccination rates hit high levels and the country’s hospitals successfully weathered the winter without being overloaded.
The decision to lift the requirement comes just two months after a fierce election.
While the New Zealand government’s handling of the pandemic has been globally lauded for keeping infection and death rates low, it has drawn criticism domestically for prolonged lockdowns, school closures and closed borders.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the official lifting of restrictions was a “significant milestone”.
“I believe that New Zealanders can be enormously proud of what we achieved together. We stayed home, we made sacrifices, we got vaccinated and there is absolutely no question that we saved lives,” he told his weekly press conference, reports RTE.
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