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New Zealand PM Ardern Says COVID-19 Has Been 'Eliminated' in Her Country

VOA News

   New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Monday that the
   country has eliminated transmission of the novel coronavirus.

   Ardern's proclamation came hours after Director-General of Health
   Ashley Bloomfield issued a statement saying New Zealand had no new
   active COVID-19 cases after the last person being treated for the
   disease had recovered. Bloomfield said it had been 17 days since the
   last new case had been reported, and the first time since late February
   there have been no active cases.

   Bloomfield called the milestone "a significant mark in our journey" but
   said "ongoing vigilance against COVID-19 will continue to be
   essential."

   Based on the news from the health ministry, Ardern told reporters
   Monday that she was lowering the four-tiered lockdown system first
   imposed in March to its lowest tier, Level 1, removing limits on public
   gatherings and mandatory social distancing, while keeping New Zealand's
   borders closed to international travel.

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