COVID-19 – The New Zealand Governments timely response
COVID-19 has impacted the world on a grand scale, with the suspension of travel across the globe. New Zealand’s response to the Pandemic was a well-thought-out process, as a result of swift responses. According to an Article from Newshub “New Zealand was the only country in the OECD to have fewer deaths than expected in pandemic-hit 2020.”* As of 22nd December 2021 there have been a total of 49 people who have passed away due to COVID-19.**
Additionally, as of 16th December 2021, according to the New Zealand Herald “New Zealand has officially cracked the 90 per cent full vaccination milestone, officials have confirmed.”*** This 90 per cent vaccination target was in light of the eligible population of who could be vaccinated which applied to all New Zealanders over the age of 12.
New Zealand’s COVID-19 response was initially designed around a 4 level alert system with each level being dependant on the community transmission of a particular region. This framework was subsequently changed to the traffic light system which is “designed to help us prevent and manage outbreaks and cases.”**** . This new framework allows for more certainty in the business sector of New Zealand, as businesses are allowed to “open and operate with greater flexibility while minimising the virus’ spread.”*****.
***** <https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/covid-19-protection-framework/.>