New Zealand's strategy in the fight against the corona virus has long been considered a model.
The delta variant now throws a spanner in the works - the government declares its approach to have failed.
Wellington - To keep the coronavirus out, New Zealand had strict rules right from the start of the pandemic.
Those who wanted to go to the island had to expect drastic quarantine rules, tough entry controls and lockdowns.
This strategy worked for a long time.
About five million people live on the island - there have been 26 deaths from Covid-19 so far. But now Delta is coming and it is spreading faster than expected.
The zero covid strategy no longer works.
New Zealand: Delta variant puts pressure on the system
"The extent of the contagion and the speed with which the virus has spread has put our system under pressure despite all preparations," said Health Minister Chris Hipkins to TVNZ.
The delta variant currently seems difficult to contain.
After a domestically transmitted Covid case occurred, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared nationwide lockdown.
Since then, 71 people have tested positive for the virus, according to Hipkins.
The delta variant, the health minister says, is “like nothing we've had to deal with in this pandemic.” Hipkins continued: “It means that all of our preparations so far seem less meaningful and raises some pretty big questions about the future our long-term plans. ”New Zealand now has to go into extended lockdown until at least Saturday.
Corona: Politician criticizes vaccination campaign in New Zealand
Opposition politician Chris Bishop is using the recent coronavirus outbreak in New Zealand to criticize the vaccination campaign: "The government's complacency and its inability to ensure the supply and delivery of the vaccine have made easy prey for all of us," he said.
So far, only just under 20 percent of the population have been fully vaccinated.
According to the opposition politician, the government was too sure of itself for too long - that is why it took too much time to procure vaccine.
(swa)
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