New Zealand is one of the few nations that has not had an epidemic of the omicron type, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned on Thursday that an outbreak was imminent and that the country would tighten restrictions as soon as one was discovered.
She did say, though, that New Zealand would not enforce the lockdowns it had previously employed, even for the delta variant.
“This stage of the pandemic is unlike anything we’ve seen previously.” “Omicron has a higher transmissibility,” Ardern explained. “Not only will it be more difficult to keep it out, but it will also be more difficult to govern once it comes.” But, like previously, when COVID evolves, we adjust as well.”
Ardern stated that the nation will go into “red” mode within 24 to 48 hours of omicron being identified in the population. Businesses might stay open and domestic travel could continue, but schools would have to wear masks and crowds would be limited to 100 people.
Most of New Zealand is now on the “orange” level, which necessitates the wearing of a mask and evidence of vaccination but does not limit crowd sizes.
Approximately 93 percent of New Zealanders aged 12 and above are completely vaccinated, with 52 percent having had a booster dose. The country has just recently began immunizing youngsters from 5 to 11 years old.
With an average of roughly 20 new cases each day, New Zealand has managed to control the spread of the delta variety. However, it has witnessed an increase in the number of persons contaminated with omicron coming in the nation and being placed in obligatory quarantine.
This has put a burden on the quarantine system, prompting the government to restrict entry for returning nationals while it considers what to do about reopening the country’s borders, angering many New Zealanders who want to return.
According to opposition leader Christopher Luxon, Ardern had a terrible plan for omicron and had only managed to get less than one quick COVID-19 test per person into the country.
He stated, “That is a startling indictment of the government’s sloppy lack of preparedness.”
The most essential thing individuals can do, according to Ardern, is obtain a booster injection, which will lessen the severity of an omicron infection and allow most people to recuperate at home rather than in a hospital.
