In the face of the slowdown of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Spanish Ministry of Health reached a consensus with the autonomous regions at the Public Health Committee on the 22nd, and the country will relax the epidemic prevention measures simultaneously.
A series of loosening measures will be implemented from the 28th. Except for those with severe symptoms, high-risk groups (the elderly over 60 years old, immunocompromised patients, pregnant women), and health care environment workers, mandatory virus testing for potentially infected people will be completely stopped.
The Ministry of Health announced that confirmed cases will no longer be closely tracked, representing people with mild and asymptomatic infections do not need to self-isolate at home. At the same time, it is recommended that people with mild symptoms should wear masks on all occasions and avoid contact with high-risk groups.
New Zealand’s epidemic prevention policy has been praised overseas, and the number of hospitalizations and deaths from the epidemic has remained relatively low. But public resentment over New Zealand’s continued COVID-19 restrictions peaked at demonstrations outside Parliament in Wellington earlier this month.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said at a press conference on the 23rd that from April 4, only people and border workers who contact with vulnerable groups, such as the long-term care industry and the medical industry, need to be vaccinated. Vaccination passes are no longer mandatory to go to restaurants, cafes, and other public places.