New Zealand is in alert level 4 lockdown after one case was found in the community, and it's got the international media talking.
"One coronavirus case. That's all it took to send New Zealand into a three-day, nationwide lockdown late Tuesday as the country's six-month streakwithout local transmission came to an end."
That's how Washington Post's correspondent Michael E. Miller opened his story as news broke last night New Zealand was heading into a level 4 lockdown.
NPR wrote that our move into a strict lockdown highlights our "vastly different approach" from "most other nations, which are attempting to suppress [Covid-19's] spread rather than eliminate it entirely".
Beyond the headlines, US outlets and the BBC mention New Zealand's low vaccination rates as key points in their coverage.
NPR put it quite simply, like this: "The country has been struggling to fully vaccinate its people."
Director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield echoed Ardern's warning yesterday and said even with high vaccination rates, the country would still need to have public health measures in place.
While a rush on supermarkets last night made it to both the Washington Post and BBC coverage, albeit a single line. The New York Times' live blog had this to say on the topic: "New Zealanders flocked to supermarkets to stock up, leaving toilet paper aisles bare, in scenes reminiscent of the earliest days of the pandemic."
Zambia reporter for Diamond TV Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya had this perspective:
New Zealand’s government has taken drastic action by putting the entire nation into a strict lockdown for at least three days after finding a single case of coronavirus infection.(Aljazeera) That's probably also because with a GDP Per capita of 42,084.35 USD, they can afford it.
All of New Zealand is now at Covid-19 alert level 4.
The alert level will be reviewed after 3 days for all areas EXCEPT Auckland & Coromandel Peninsula which is likely to remain at level 4 for an initial period of 7 days.
A community case of Covid-19 has been identified.
Stay at home where possible & follow the Alert Level 4 guidelines. This will stop the spread of COVID-19 and SAVE LIVES.
