Protests on the streets of New Zealand.
After the first lockdown in six months, the streets crashed.
Trigger: An introduced mutation of the coronavirus.
Auckland - no corona in New Zealand?
The island nation was free from infections for months.
Where others have to wait until the second wave subsides under the strict measures of their governments, everyday life seemed to have long since returned to normal for the people there.
But the hammer came on Valentine's Day weekend: a total of three people are said to have tested positive for the British mutation of the corona virus in Auckland, New Zealand, as announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns.
Coronavirus: Mutation from England arrived in New Zealand for the first time
According to Chris Hipkins, the Minister for Corona Measures, these are mother, father and daughter.
The three are said to be the first residents of the island state who brought the corona mutation B.1.1.7, which is widespread in Great Britain, to New Zealand.
In order to prevent the possible spread of the even more contagious virus mutation, the New Zealand Prime Minister has now ordered a three-day lockdown.
In Auckland, the restrictions were declared at warning level 3, in the rest of New Zealand at level 2.
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Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's guiding principle on the coronavirus: "go hard, go early".
© Mark Mitchell / NZME
In addition to the lockdown, mass tests are also to be carried out.
But with the strict measures, the government has met with a lot of criticism.
Dozens of
people took to the streets to protest shortly after the lockdown was announced, according
to
Nzherald.co.nz
.
They demonstrated in front of the Prime Minister's office against what they thought were far too harsh measures.
New Zealand: Lockdown against the spread of the coronavirus mutation causes protests
Critics argued that the lockdown was too exaggerated as only one family was infected with the coronavirus mutation.
All of this although Jacinda Ardern called for understanding for her measures on Sunday, February 14th.
The Ministry of Health also confirmed their decision and emphasized that the people who tested positive for the virus mutation only underpinned the "decision to act quickly and robustly" so that the spread can be prevented as much as possible.
The first "tough lockdown" paid off in New Zealand
In any case, the strict measures and the rapid reaction of the government have paid off so far.
New Zealand with its five million inhabitants came through the crisis comparably well.
A total of 25 people died from the coronavirus, while only 2,000 became infected.
The tough lockdown, which the minister ordered early on, enabled the island nation to return to normal afterwards.
In the meantime, the New Zealanders could even go to filled stadiums without having to wear a mask.
(lp)
List of rubric lists: © Zhao Gang
