New Zealand says no new COVID-19 cases for a week

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – New Zealand on Friday allowed people to resume weekend activities after reporting no fresh coronavirus cases for a consecutive seven days.

The health authorities said there was only one active case of the deadly infection and no other was receiving hospital care for COVID-19, the local daily New Zealand Herald reported.

The authorities have also increased number of people allowed in social gatherings to 100.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson described New Zealand’s anti-COVID-19 efforts as "incredibly well".

Robertson, however, acknowledged anti-COVID-19 measures had affected manufacturing sector, saying its output was "a little lower" than normal.

New Zealand had imposed a strict lockdown in April which was lifted in phases and currently restrictions under level-2 are in place.

Routine activities including schools, businesses, cafes, restaurants, weddings or funerals are allowed but with social distancing measures.

The finance minister added that economic output under level-2 was at about 90%. “The hospitality sector was still facing challenges under level 2, but export sectors were faring relatively well,” he said.

New Zealand has reported 1,504 coronavirus cases while 22 people have died of the disease.