#[1]alternate [2]alternate [3]Homepage Accessibility links * [4]Skip to content * [5]Accessibility Help [6]BBC Account [7]Notifications * [8]Home * [9]News * [10]Sport * [11]Weather * [12]iPlayer * [13]Sounds * [14]CBBC * [15]CBeebies * [16]Food * [17]Bitesize * [18]Arts * [19]Taster * [20]Local * [21]Three * [22]Menu [23]Search Search the BBC ____________________ (BUTTON) Search the BBC [24]News BBC News Navigation Sections * [25]Home * [26]Video * [27]World selected * [28]US & Canada * [29]UK * [30]Business * [31]Tech * [32]Science * [33]Stories * [34]Entertainment & Arts * [35]Health * [36]In Pictures * [37]Reality Check * [38]World News TV * [39]Newsbeat * [40]Special Reports * [41]Explainers * [42]The Reporters * [43]Have Your Say [44]Asia selected * [45]China * [46]India [47]Asia [48]Asia Coronavirus: New Zealand claims no community cases as lockdown eases * 27 April 2020 * [49]Share this with Facebook * [50]Share this with Messenger * [51]Share this with Twitter * [52]Share this with Email * [53]Share this with Facebook * [54]Share this with WhatsApp * [55]Share this with Messenger * [56]Share this with Twitter * [57]Share Share this with These are external links and will open in a new window + [58]Email Share this with Email + [59]Facebook Share this with Facebook + [60]Messenger Share this with Messenger + [61]Messenger Share this with Messenger + [62]Twitter Share this with Twitter + [63]Pinterest Share this with Pinterest + [64]WhatsApp Share this with WhatsApp + [65]LinkedIn Share this with LinkedIn Copy this link [66]https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52436658?at_campaign=64& ;at_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&at_medium=custom7&at_custom2=tw itter&at_custom3=%40BBCWorld&at_custom4=09FE79A8-8843-11EA- B742-159F4744363C [67]Read more about sharing. These are external links and will open in a new window (BUTTON) Close share panel Related Topics * [68]Coronavirus pandemic [p08blfw0.jpg] Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionPM Jacinda Ardern announces that New Zealand has stopped community transmission New Zealand says it has stopped community transmission of Covid-19, effectively eliminating the virus. With new cases in single figures for several days - one on Sunday - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the virus was "currently" eliminated. But officials have warned against complacency, saying it does not mean a total end to new coronavirus cases. The news came hours before New Zealand moved out of its toughest level of social restrictions. From Tuesday, some non-essential business, healthcare and education activity will be able to resume. Most people will still be required to remain at home at all times and avoid all social interactions. * [69]Follow our live updates from around the world * [70]How New Zealand turned to science and kindness * [71]The 'social bubble' approach to lockdown easing "We are opening up the economy, but we're not opening up people's social lives," Ms Ardern said at the daily government briefing. New Zealand has reported fewer than 1,500 confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus and 19 deaths. * A SIMPLE GUIDE: [72]How do I protect myself? * AVOIDING CONTACT: [73]The rules on self-isolation and exercise * HOPE AND LOSS: [74]Your coronavirus stories * FACE MASKS: [75]Should I be wearing one? * VACCINE: [76]How close are we to finding one? New Zealand's Director-General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield, said the low number of new cases in recent days "does give us confidence that we have achieved our goal of elimination". He warned that "elimination" did not mean there would be no new cases "but it does mean we know where our cases are coming from". Image copyright AFP Image caption New Zealand brought in very tough restrictions on travel and activity early on in the pandemic Ms Ardern said there was "no widespread undetected community transmission in New Zealand", adding: "We have won that battle." But she said the country "must remain vigilant if we are to keep it that way". How did New Zealand respond to the virus? The country brought in some of the toughest restrictions in the world on travel and activity early on in the pandemic, when it only had a few dozen cases. It closed its borders, started enforcing quarantine of all arrivals in the country, brought in a stringent lockdown and mounted an extensive testing and contact tracing operation. Beaches, waterfronts and playgrounds were shut on 26 March, as were offices and schools. Bars and restaurants were also closed, including for takeaway and delivery. Ms Ardern said modelling indicated New Zealand could have had more than 1,000 cases a day if it had not brought in the lockdown so early. She said the country could never know how bad it would have been but that "through our cumulative actions we have avoided the worst". New Zealand's remote location and easily sealable borders played in its favour when the virus broke out, experts say. But the government has also been praised for the clarity of its messaging throughout the crisis. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption New Zealand brought in tough restrictions, such as closing pubs and bars, early on in the pandemic At midnight local time (12:00 GMT on Monday), New Zealand moved from Level Four lockdown to Level Three. That means most businesses will be able to reopen - including restaurants for takeaways - but not those involving face-to-face contact. [77]New Zealanders are being told to stick to their "bubble" - a small group of close friends or family - and to stay 2m (6ft) away from people. Mass gatherings are still banned, shopping centres remain closed and most children will remain away from school. New Zealand's border will remain closed. What's happening in Australia? In Australia, the rise in infections has also slowed considerably in recent weeks. There were just 16 new cases recorded on Sunday. Much like in New Zealand, its government has been praised for its response to the crisis and opinion polls show that trust in the country's leadership has risen. Restrictions are easing in some areas, with some states planning to relax social distancing rules to permit larger outdoor gatherings this week. In Queensland from Saturday, people will be free to go shopping for clothes, have a picnic in the park or go for a swim at the beach as long as it is within a 40-minute drive from home. Western Australia is also joining South Australia in expanding the national two-person limit on gatherings to 10 people. However, most Australians are still required to stay at home unless they have essential work, shopping or exercise reasons to go out. [p08bdrlt.jpg] Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionWATCH: What is contact tracing and how does it work? [78]More than a million Australians also downloaded a coronavirus contact tracing app within hours of it being released by the government. Users of the app will be notified if they have had more than 15 minutes of close contact with another user who tests positive for Covid-19. There are reports that Australia and New Zealand are considering opening up travel between them but no decision has been made. Related Topics * [79]Coronavirus lockdown measures * [80]Coronavirus pandemic * [81]New Zealand * [82]Jacinda Ardern Share this story [83]About sharing * [84]Email * [85]Facebook * [86]Messenger * [87]Messenger * [88]Twitter * [89]Pinterest * [90]WhatsApp * [91]LinkedIn More on this story * Coronavirus: How New Zealand relied on science and empathy 20 April 2020 * Australia and New Zealand mark Anzac Day in driveways 25 April 2020 * Coronavirus: Australians download COVIDSafe contact tracing app 26 April 2020 Top Stories [92]Coronavirus 'currently eliminated' in New Zealand The country has stopped community transmission of Covid-19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. 27 April 2020 [93]Families to get compensation for NHS staff deaths 27 April 2020 [94]Why so much US resistance to the lockdown? 27 April 2020 Features The 'social bubble' approach to lockdown easing Why so much US resistance to the lockdown? 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