WELLINGTON - New Zealand’s government will lift all remaining Covid-19 requirements from midnight Tuesday, bringing an end to some of the toughest Covid-19 pandemic rules in the world, more than three years after they were put in place.
Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall said in a statement on Monday that from Tuesday, people will no longer have to wear a face mask in health care facilities or 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 the Cabinet, and I am advised we’re positioned to safely remove the remaining Covid-19 requirements,” Ms Verrall said.
as vaccination rates reached high levels and the country’s hospitals successfully navigated a winter without being overwhelmed.While the New Zealand government’s handling of the pandemic was globally recognised for keeping infection and death rates at low levels, domestically it faced criticism for the extended lockdowns, school closures and closed borders.“I believe that New Zealanders can be enormously proud of what we achieved together.
While no longer mandatory, the Minister of Health still recommends that people stay home for five days if they are unwell or have tested positive. REUTERS