MELBOURNE: The seven-day lockdown in the nation’s biggest city, Auckland, announced late Saturday by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, was prompted by the case of an individual who had been infectious for a week however had not been in isolation.
“It’s more than likely there can be further cases in the community,” Ardern informed a televised news conference, although there have been no new cases recorded on Sunday.
The lockdown follows a three-day stay-at-home order in mid-February after a local emergence of the UK variant of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. There are now about 14 cases linked to the cluster.
“Despite our best efforts to date, recent cases have gone to work when they shouldn’t have,” Ardern stated.
The measures have complicated several high-visibility sporting events planned in Auckland.
The organizers of the America’s Cup yacht race stated on Sunday the head-to-head final between Italy and New Zealand that was to start on Mar 6 was postponed to at least Mar 10.
New Zealand’s fourth Twenty20 International cricket match against Australia has been shifted to Wellington where it will be played behind closed doors on Friday.
Some social media users from around the world expressed dismay at the strong response that would lock down a large city over a single case, with one Twitter user writing, “They are insane.”
However, swift public health measures often implemented in the past yr, combined with aggressive contact tracing and border closure have been credited with making New Zealand highly successful in keeping the coronavirus pandemic from spreading.
New Zealand, with a population of 5 million, has recorded just over 2,000 coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic and 26 deaths.
