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Australian health chief says NZ's strategy 'very dangerous'

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Fri, 14 Aug 2020, 5:56PM
Photo / Supplied
Photo / Supplied

Australian health chief says NZ's strategy 'very dangerous'

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Fri, 14 Aug 2020, 5:56PM

Australia's top health official has criticised New Zealand's decision to lift Covid-19 restrictions after seemingly eliminating the virus.

Australia's acting chief medical officer Paul Kelly said today New Zealand should not have returned to pre-pandemic life after going 102 days without community transmission.

He said despite New Zealand's initial lockdown being successful, a return to mass gatherings and lack of social distancing was problematic.

Australia's acting chief medical officer Paul Kelly. Photo / Getty Images
Australia's acting chief medical officer Paul Kelly. Photo / Getty Images

"That is just very dangerous," he told the Australian Senate's coronavirus inquiry today.

"To go right back to a pre-Covid state makes them extremely vulnerable."

People line up to enter a supermarket hours before a citywide curfew is introduced in Melbourne, on August 2. Photo / AP
People line up to enter a supermarket hours before a citywide curfew is introduced in Melbourne, on August 2. Photo / AP

Kelly said New Zealand's latest outbreak, which has spread to 30 people, showed why well-performing Australian states must remain vigilant.

"What has happened in New Zealand is a real demonstration of why we have to remain cautious," he said.

Auckland is currently in at alert level 3 lockdown and social distancing measures have been reimposed across other parts of the country.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will announce any changes to those measures at 5.30pm today.

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