One year ago, on New Zealand moved to Alert Level 4. This meant that our entire country went into self-isolation. Everyone was advised to stay home, all facilities except essential services closed down and we hunkered down and waited with bated breath to see how and if this lockdown will work.
And work, it did. After almost 6 weeks in Level 4, we eventually moved to Level 3 and then 2. New Zealand is one of the countries with the lowest number of deaths and cases in the world. It has become a poster child for how to handle this crisis.
For the most part, everything went back to normal. Schools, businesses and offices opened, with some precautions to ensure the safety of everyone. Over the next months, we would move between Level 1 and 2, depending on the cases that happen in the isolation facilities or within the community.
Today, life in New Zealand is as normal as can be. We hold concerts, sports events and festivals. I think the major changes in how we live, really, is making sure we sanitise, use our COVID Tracer app, and the use of masks in public transportation.
Photo from Stuff.co.nz
Let me share what I think New Zealand did that helped minimise the impact of the virus in our country:
Quick and Decisive Action
From the day that the first case of the virus was reported in New Zealand, the government had a plan for the country. Less than two weeks after the first case, it was announced that anyone arriving in New Zealand was to self-isolate for 14 days. Then all gatherings more than 100 people were cancelled, and the borders were closed to all, except for NZ citizens and permanent residents. Eventually, the 4-Level Alert system was implemented and still in use today.
Effective, clear and consistent communication
The Prime Minister was very visible during this time. She would be accompanied by experts from the medical field to explain what was happening. During the lockdown, every day at 1PM, the Director of Health, Ashley Bloomfield and the PM would have a briefing, letting us know the number of cases, tests conducted, and sometimes, deaths. This ensured that we had one source of information and instructions here in New Zealand, based on advice from the experts.
Photo From: BBC
Following the rules
Here in New Zealand, the PM calls us the “Team of 5 million“, making us all feel part of the group effort. As a result, almost all people obeyed the rules of lockdown. No one minded the long lines in the supermarket (limited people allowed to get in), everyone kept their distance from others when outside, and covered up with masks. There were people who complained and broke the rules, that is true. And they were dealt with accordingly. But mostly, New Zealanders have this attitude of just “getting on with it”–which means just do what’s being asked of us, so we can move forward.
These days, I think most people are getting quite used to moving between different Alert Levels. Some people say we can’t continue this way , where, every time there is a community case, we move up a Level. While I do agree with that, I’d much rather we operate with caution, because I don’t think anyone wants to go on major lockdown again. This pandemic and lockdown has had a massive effect on our economy, and we will be feeling it in the years to come, but we are assured that the country was spared from massive cases and deaths.
Looking at news around the world, where case numbers are still going up (looking at you, Philippines), I’m just grateful that we are here right now. I cannot imagine how our family will deal with staying indoors for long periods of time, and having limited contact with other people. I can’t even think of homeschooling the girls (our brief lockdown period made it clear I’m not cut out to be a home schooler).
Do you think we’ll ever get back to the normal, pre-pandemic way of life? Personally, I think there will be a “new” way of living. I think this pandemic has already changed everything, and there doesn’t seem to be going back to old way of life. But if there is anything this pandemic has taught us, it would have to be that life is fragile,and one person’s actions has far-reaching effects on others.
