Good News: New Zealand Becomes Coronovirus Free, Taiwan Next?

New Zealand has emerged successful in its fight against the novel coronavirus. No new cases have been reported in the country for seventeen days. The last patient was also discharged from the hospital, making New Zealand officially corona virus free.

The country’s border will be controlled strictly as before to prevent the virus from entering again. However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that social distancing and ban on public gathering are no longer required in the island country as they haven’t reported a single coronavirus case in seventeen days.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was extremely elated and was in high spirits while announcing the country to be officially coronavirus free. She danced around when the last patient was discharged, and the country had 0 active cases. “She was caught a little by surprise, but she joined in, having absolutely no idea why I was dancing around the lounge” said the PM in a televised address, while taking about her daughter.

The country’s population is just around 5 million, with a population density of just 15 people per square kilometer. 1,154 people were infected with the coronavirus in New Zealand, and 22 succumbed to death due to the disease.

“We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now, we now have a head start on economic recovery because at level one we become one of the most open, if not the most open, economies in the world.” Said PM Jacinda Ardern as level one of the four level system allows them to reopen everything without restrictions. Nightclubs, stadiums, offices can all re open.

Another country to have been well prepared in its fight against coronavirus is Taiwan. Ever since the SARS outbreak Taiwan has been prepared to deal with other such outbreaks. Proper screening, quarantine methods started as early as January helped Taiwan from becoming an epicenter, and successfully controlling the outbreak from getting out of hand.

With only six active cases in the country as of now, Taiwan too will ease domestic bans and restrictions that were implemented.  However, border restrictions will remain in Taiwan.