Hyderabad: Even as the super powers continue to flounder, New Zealand is successful in battling COVID-19, all credits to the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Her competency and foresightedness have saved the country from coronavirus pandemic. On one hand, she is implementing strict lockdown measures and on the other, she is taking care of her people.
The first COVID-19 case in New Zealand was reported on February 28. A woman travelling from Iran was found to be infected with the virus. Jacinda was quick to act. The decision was made to move the international travelers directly to quarantine centers.
The PM ordered the officials to immediately identify those who arrived from abroad until few days earlier. The officials started tracing contacts of the infected. The result, the government took control of the situation before the pandemic flared up.
Despite taking necessary precautions, the novel coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate.
Jacinda took further precautions, asked people to confine to their homes for 14 days starting March 15. Even before the confinement ended, she announced a nationwide lockdown from March 26. The public supported her decision. They have strictly complied to the confinement norms.
Since then, the number of cases has steadily decreased. She is fiercely following up on the stages of virus outbreak and chalking out plans accordingly. The government divided virus hotspots into clusters and special strategies are implemented in those areas.
She saw to it that essential services are available during the lockdown. The country could grapple the virus outbreak, thanks to the cooperation from its citizens.
New Zealand has been testing aggressively and creating awareness among its citizens. The number of active COVID-19 patients in New Zealand is 1,349. Of these, 471 have fully recovered. Only 4 people died of the infection. The rate of virus spread is also low. Jacinda’s initial efforts in containing the contagion are now yielding better results.
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In the recent past, Jacinda made a history by attending the UN general assembly with her baby in tow. Even during the current dire circumstances, she is looking after her citizens like a mother does. The citizens face no shortage of essential or emergency supplies.
The New Zealand government is promoting children’s literature amid this pandemic as a way to keep kids engaged. In fact, Jacinda endorsed few comics and story books.
