The secret to the success of New Zealand in fighting the COVID Pandemic. 

New Zealand had a prompt and possibly one of the earliest responses to the COVID crisis.

It started with travel restrictions with China back in February before any positive patient was even detected. New Zealand saw it’s first Corona positive patient on 28 February. After which it closed its borders for everyone and those returning from foreign countries were self-isolated. On 21st March it announced a level-based system to deal with the crisis.

The country entered level 4 on 25 March which led to a nationwide lockdown. Schools were closed, offices were running from home all at a time when it had a little over 100 cases, these measures seemed draconian at first, but as defended by the prime minister “We only have 102 cases, But so did Italy once.” These early measures gave New Zealand a headstart when other countries were still waiting for things to go out of proportion and imposing lockdown when absolutely necessary.