Health
New Zealand Covid Curbs Saved Lives But Brought Social Fiscal Costs
A nurse prepares to test residents at a Covid-19 testing facility in in Auckland in Aug. 2020.
Photographer: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
An inquiry into New Zealand’s Covid-19 response found that while the country’s strategy — one of the strictest in the world — helped limit infections and deaths, prolonged lockdowns and vaccine mandates imposed significant social and economic costs.
The Royal Commission made 24 recommendations aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness for future pandemics, including regular assessments of fiscal resilience and clearer decision-making during crises, according to its report Tuesday in Wellington.