AUCKLAND: After weeks of uncertainty and protests by thousands asking for restrictions to ease in Auckland, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced an easing of restrictions.
Aucklanders have been in level restrictions for weeks, even as many District Health Boards are yet to hit the 90% vaccination target.
The restrictions have made many businesses suffer even as closure of borders has made experts question the strategy of Ardern government’s plan to tackle the pandemic. Many countries such as the US, UK, Canada and now even Australia have announced easing of restrictions and opening of borders, rather focusing on vaccine passports as a way to conduct daily business.
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The Ardern government has also come under fire from opposition for mishandling the current crisis impacting the small island nation, which has a population of just about 5 million, which could have achieved 95% vaccinations easily in early part of 2021.
More talk and no answers from the Govt on opening Auckland up to the rest of New Zealand for Christmas.
The PM is very good at locking down, but not when it comes to opening up. https://t.co/5EtzEnvx1g
— Simeon Brown (@SimeonBrownMP) November 7, 2021
83 days of Lockdown for Auckland. If only the Government had a plan and the courage to execute it.
— Judith Collins (@JudithCollinsMP) November 7, 2021
Booster shots, and not before time. Australia’s TGA approved boosters on October 27, two weeks ago. Now to make sure health workers actually get them quickly.
— David Seymour (@dbseymour) November 8, 2021
Had @AndrewLittleMP set aside MIQ space for health workers when he knew about the problem in June we could have had up to 1200 healthcare workers in NZ by now. Many nurses waiting to get in to NZ this year gave up & went to Canada. My chat with HPDA: https://t.co/qR9NO2M23x pic.twitter.com/vJLxHvSHTH
— Erica Stanford MP (@EricaStanfordMP) November 3, 2021
