SHOW / EPISODE

New Zealand & COVID-19

16m | Jan 25, 2022

(0.0-0.19 Audio) Bring the u.s. Approaching another Dreadful Milestone nearly, 500,000 American lives lost since the first report of death in this country just a little over a year ago half a million lives. That's more than the Americans who died in battle during World War One World War II and the Vietnam War combined.


(HANNAH) That clip is not shocking to many of us. If you live in America you know that wearing a mask, and protecting those around you has caused a political war for quote on quote “freedom”. Throughout the majority of the pandemic we had a federal government that rejected the idea of COVID-19, turned a blind eye to public health professionals and denied support for citizens With the new variants and weakened restrictions, COVID-19 in the United States seems never ending. 


RIA [ 16:03]“We have currently got the America's Cup race going on in Auckland. And there are crowds enjoying themselves on the waterfront, you know, and it's brilliant. And we have sports with actual life crowds, cheering arm and so we, we have all that normality of life”


( HANNAH ) That’s Ria. Ria is a New Zealand Native and Director of EcoQuest, .a study abroad organization that offers interdisciplinary, hands-on learning in a vibrant, sustainable learning community for students around the world to stay in New Zealand. She is talking about an annual yacht race that occurred the march of 2021. This event had a crowd of 50,000 people. New Zealand is basically COVID019 free. This seems unimaginable to me. IT is clear there are two different worlds going on. 


(HANNAH) The question is how? How is it possible to have nations so drastically different in their covid-19 response? What is New Zealand doing that the United States is not?As of March 2021, New Zealand has had only 2,350 total cases since the start of the pandemic. To put that number into perspective on February 20th, North Carolina alone had 3,234 new daily cases. 


HANNAH) One of the biggest attributes to success for New Zealand was the quick response by the government and the consistency of positive choices. Since the beginning of the Pandemic the New Zealand government implemented three key components to their success; travel restrictions, strict lockdown protocols and communicative campaigning. 


RIA [ 10:03] “I really appreciate the leadership that we had and have, because it was a science informed leadership, you know, the government was super clear about, you know, how they were making their decisions. And it was all transparent, that was communicated daily to us. And so it was also made clear as to what was our responsibility, and what was the responsibility of the government.”


(HANNAH) It is important to note the geographical makeup of New Zealand. New Zealand is an island nation, meaning it is completely surrounded by water. It comprises two different land masses making up the north and south island. Because of this it is easier to regulate who is coming in and out of the country compared to countries like the United States that share borders. New Zealand is also a rather small country. There are 5 million total residents within New zealanders.


RIA [ 9:53] “We have been super fortunate. But I don't think it was luck alone. And you know, I do believe that there are many things at play. One of course, we are an island nation, and you can actually control the borders mostly. And so. So that was an obvious tool.”


(HANNAH) The New Zealand government implemented strict travel restrictions. At the end of January 2021 Travel restrictions were lifted to a phase 1 for the first time since the start of the pandemic. New Zealanders were permitted for international travel. But U.S citizens were still not allowed to enter New Zealand. According to the New Zealand Government Travel page, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Travel within borders is permitted at this time as well. For those travelling within New Zealand borders it is required to conduct health screenings, and covid-19 tests. After this testing each individual would then have to do a mandatory 14 day isolation/ quarantine Quarantine is required to be done at one of the various government adhered locations.  


RIA [8:15]: ”In the first week of April, my mum passed away. And and of course, I could not travel because by then there was no global anything. You know, there are borders were close. And I actually do fully appreciate that move that our government made, you know, is that I could have left, perhaps, but it wouldn't have been very easy. And it certainly would not be easy to return.”  


(HANNAH) The New Zealand government implemented COVID-19 alert levels. These alert levels specify the public health and social measures to be taken. There are four alert levels. Level one is the least restrictive, and level four is the most. Level one is called prepare. It is where the COVID-19 is contained. This happens when there is a risk of COVID-19 in the community. Social distancing and COVID-19 testing is encouraged. And mass gatherings of 500 or more are cancelled. Face coverings are legally required in public transportation and the borders are still restricted. 


RIA [ 15:00]“Yeah, so we have a, an alert system level system is four levels. And currently the whole country is in level one. And so level one is the most relaxed mode, but it is not zero, okay, and so, so what what's being asked of us is to stay home, if you're sick, get tested, if you're sick, use the COVID tracer apps turn on your Bluetooth traces, so that we have a picture nationwide of where people are and if covid returns we can pick up who was the contact and really go hard to get people tested.” 


(HANNAH) The next level is level 2. It is the reduction phase it is done to exercise increased caution. This is when the disease is contained by the risk of community transmission has increased. “Only New Zealand citizens or residents with valid travel conditions can travel to New Zealand at this time. All New Zealand citizens and residents returning to New Zealand must complete at least 14 days of managed isolation or quarantine and test negative for COVID-19 before entering the community.” You are allowed to go to work and school, and businesses are open. But physical distancing and masks in transportation are required. Masks are encouraged in all spaces and events can only be 100 people or less. You are allowed to travel to other regions at an Alert level of 2 or lower. 


RIA [ 11:05]“We had a short period of national emergency, and everyone was just asked in order to stay home. And people did, I think we have a, you know, I think as a national trade, we may be slightly more concerned with fairness than with freedom. And so people were prepared to do this. And it wasn't easy, but people did it.” 


(HANNAH) Level 3 is next. In level three all work and school must be taught virtually. Public spaces like gyms, museums and playgrounds must close. You legally must stay home with your household bubble. Socializing outside your bubble is strongly discouraged. Social distancing is required. Masks are required in public transportation and strongly encouraged everywhere else. Traveling outside of the region is restricted.


RIA [ 12:17] “We've had two other brief periods of localized lockdown the most recent one, just a few weeks ago, in Auckland. And that was just really concentrating on you know, where, where do we see a case that's unexplained? What can we do about it? So yeah, I think not just luck, and to large degree, leadership, and definitely having a sort of science based approach really trying to understand COVID.”


(HANNAH) Level 4 is the last and most severe level. Level 4 occurs when there is a widespread outbreak and intensive community transmission. All gatherings are cancelled, businesses are closed, work and school must be done from home.All travel has stopped except for essential personnel. Individuals must stay home in their bubbles and can only move for essential personal movement. Only supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations can stay open. 


RIA [ 13:32]”But I think one of the things that I think I often think about is just scale, you know, like, we are a small nation, we have 5 million people. And so, you know, our Prime Minister, early on, basically pulled everyone in, for us to be a team of 5 million.” 


(HANNAH) The New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made it her goal to engage her entire community within her COVID-19 response. The wording throughout the education in New Zealand surrounding COVID-19 has encouraged a community investment to keep one another healthy. There is a noticeable team based approach. Using phrases like “ what we all need to do to keep safe.” The Prime Minister prioritized public health education and frequent communication with the residents of New Zealand. 


RIA [ 24:14] “I think we were lucky that our government now freshly mentored us, they were in a way, you know, they they had a huge focus on health and well being, you know, the first budget presented by by our current government was a well being budget, you know, so, so it is it is out there, because, you know, I think we as small and actually, we are nimble, and we should be able to deal with things that matter, ” 


(HANNAH) It is evident that successful public health responses must happen at the governmental level. Not only through policy but in practice of those in political power. New Zealand is a great example of engaging your community to effectively address public health issues like COVID-19 on a mass scale. The alert level system and travel restrictions played a large role in the success in New Zealand. But more so the engagement and support from the New Zealand government to the rest of society offered trust and a willingness to adhere to public health protocols. This model is one that many countries should consider in the future. 


This podcast was created for the Spring 2021 Global Health Class at Guilford College. 

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Guilford College Public Health
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