New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand has acknowledged what most other countries did long ago: It can no longer completely get rid of the coronavirus. Since early in the pandemic, New Zealand had pursued an unusual zero-tolerance approach to the virus that worked until recently. https://t.co/eDmcfL0lO8
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 4, 2021
Last night/this morning.
New Zealand has abandoned its long-standing strategy of eliminating coronavirus amid a persistent Delta outbreak, and will instead look to live with the virus and control its spread as its vaccination rate rises.
The Pacific nation was among just a handful of countries to bring COVID-19 cases down to zero last year and largely stayed virus-free until an outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant in mid-August frustrated efforts to stamp out transmission.
“With this outbreak and Delta the return to zero is incredibly difficult,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a news conference in a major policy shift.
“This is a change in approach we were always going to make over time. Our Delta outbreak has accelerated this transition. Vaccines will support it,” she said.
New Zealand drops COVID-19 elimination strategy under pressure from Delta (Reuters)
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Meanwhile, in Australia…
As we emerge from lockdown, we must embrace this time as a new beginning for our State, and welcome the opportunity it presents for a refresh.
I have decided now is the right time for me to hand the reins over to new leadership, and resign as Deputy Premier of NSW. pic.twitter.com/MeWBWMR38P
— John Barilaro MP (@JohnBarilaroMP) October 3, 2021
The second domino.
FIGHT!
Friday: Gladys All Over
