Lockdowns ease in countries which took swift measures

New Zealand and Hong Kong have both started to relax the measures they have put in place to limit the spread of coronavirus with recent data showing that their strict policies have paid off with almost no new transmissions.

In New Zealand the number of new cases over the past few days has been in the single figures, with the government saying it has stopped community transmission of the virus. On Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated the virus was “currently” eliminated.

While this does not mean that there will be no new cases, and officials have warned that people should not become complacent, the New Zealand health authorities are confident that they will know where any new cases have originated. As things stand, New Zealand has reported 1,469 confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus, and only 19 deaths.

The government there is now preparing to allow some relaxation of the strict measures which have been in place since 26 March. On Tuesday the lockdown will be downgraded from Level Four to Level 3 allowing businesses that do not involve face-to-face contact to reopen.

Restaurants will only be allowed to serve takeaways, shopping centres will stay closed, most children will not return to school, and mass gatherings will remain banned. New Zealanders are also still urged to only socialise with a small group of friends or family, and maintain social distancing. The country’s borders will also remain closed.

Hong Kong avoided a lockdown but has enforced strict social distancing measures. But on Monday public health experts also announced that the city could begin to consider easing these measures. Hong Kong, which has recorded only 1,037 cases and 4 deaths, saw the number of new cases fall to zero on three days last week – and remain in single digits on the others.

Still, health authorities have warned the virus can only be considered to be under control if the city goes two weeks to a month without recording any new cases, that is one or two incubation periods of the virus. Indeed, while a rule requiring restaurants to operate at half capacity was lifted last Friday pubs, gyms, and beauty salons are to remain shut until at least 7 May.

Strict travel controls also remain in place. As things stand all travellers entering Hong Kong must take a test upon entry, and then self-quarantine for 14 days regardless of the results with their location tracked by an electronic tag.

The gradual reopening of New Zealand and Hong Kong is in large part thanks to the effective measures taken to contain the virus’ spread early on in the crisis. New Zealand brought in some of the toughest measures in the world when it had only a few dozen cases closing its borders, quarantining all new arrivals, locking down, and performing extensive testing and contact tracing.

In Hong Kong government measures to limit the spread via social distancing were greatly aided by a population still haunted by memories of the SARS epidemic. A survey in March found that 85% of respondents were avoiding crowded places, and 99% were wearing masks when leaving their home.

Other countries which have started to reopen also locked down early. Denmark was the second country in Europe to start a lockdown, doing so before it had even seen any deaths due to coronavirus. The government has since allowed the reopening of primary schools and daycare centres on 14 April, certain business such as hairdressers, dentists, and tattooists 20 April, and the courts on Monday. Still social distancing rules remain in place, with gatherings of more than 10 banned.

It’s a similar story in Austria which locked down 16 March. On 14 April non-essential shops, with a floor-space smaller than 400 square metres, were allowed to reopen alongside DIY stores and garden centres. Social distancing continues, and it is mandatory to wear masks outdoors.

Switzerland and Norway are also beginning to ease restrictions, with the first stage of the former’s three part re-opening starting Monday.