New Zealand has no active Covid-19 cases after the country's final patient was given the all-clear and released from isolation, health authorities said on Monday.
The milestone was "really good news" and an achievement the whole of New Zealand could take heart from, health department director general Ashley Bloomfield said.
"Having no active cases for the first time since February 28 is certainly a significant mark in our journey but, as we've previously said, ongoing vigilance against Covid-19 will continue to be essential," he said.
There have been no new infections for 17 days and, until Monday, just one active case for more than a week.
The country's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern looked elated as she shared the news, revealing she danced around her living room when told about the milestone.
While strict border controls will remain in place, Ms Ardern said restrictions such as social distancing and limits on public gatherings were no longer needed.
"We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now," she said in a televised address, saying Kiwis had "united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus".
Asked about her reaction upon hearing the news, she replied: "I did a little dance" with baby daughter Neve.
"She was caught a little by surprise but she joined in, having absolutely no idea why I was dancing around the lounge."
Coronavirus around the world
New Zealand's move down to Level 1, the lowest rating on its four-tier virus response system, means nightclubs can operate without dance-floor restrictions and theatres will reopen.
It also means sporting events can proceed with crowds in the stands, a change New Zealand Rugby said offered its Super Rugby Aotearoa competition the opportunity to achieve a global record when it kicks off this weekend.
New Zealand has won praise for its handling of the pandemic, which involved a strict seven-week lockdown that ended last month after the virus was contained.
The South Pacific nation, with a population of five million, had recorded 1,154 confirmed cases and 22 deaths.
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
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Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Correspondents
By Tim Murphy
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