NZ is still largely immune from the coronavirus contagion thanks to its insularity. Restrictions on arrivals are necessary and welcome but they are not enough to slow down the contagion. Now it is necessary to introduce measures to promote social separation in NZ to reduce the chances of spreading the virus.

We cannot wait until the contagion is officially declared widespread before taking the same measures introduced in Europe. We need to act now to protect the country health system from being overwhelmed in the coming winter.

NZ stands a good chance to slow down the contagion better than other countries but we cannot be complacent. We need to be proactive now and cancel all public gatherings and reduce social mobility to the bare minimum. We might have only of few weeks before the contagion start spreading out of control and then it will be too late. It is better to act decisively now even considering the high costs for the benefit of public health.

The public must be made aware that a lethal invisible threat is coming and all we can do is buying some valuable time until a cure is found for this disease.

We cannot look at what is going on overseas as if we are unaffected spectators. 

Now is the time to act.