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New Zealand considers further travel bans out of COVID-19 concerns

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 12 Mar 2020

New Zealand considers further travel bans out of COVID-19 concerns

Wellington/Xinhua: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday the government will announce further COVID-19 border measures over the weekend.

Speaking at a press conference, Ardern said the COVID-19 Cabinet Committee agreed additional border measures were necessary and decisions would be made over the weekend.

I'm not ruling in or out any country currently who are experiencing cases. Instead, I'm going to follow the best advice I have from our experts and make sure we keep ahead and we protect New Zealanders' public health," Ardern said.

For the sixth consecutive day, there are no additional confirmed or probable cases of the COVID-19 in New Zealand, according to the health ministry.

New Zealand currently has five confirmed cases based on positive test results and two probable cases. The two patients who had been in hospital, one confirmed case and one probable case, are recovering at home with daily checks by health staff, the ministry said in a statement.

All 252 close contacts of the confirmed cases in self-isolation are being monitored daily by health staff.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff announced on Friday Auckland Pasifika Festival had been cancelled over COVID-19 concerns. However, the national remembrance marking the one-year anniversary of the March 15 terrorist attacks has not been canceled and will proceed as scheduled on Sunday.

The health ministry advised people to stay home if feeling unwell.