1. A large meat enterprise in New Zealand said: its exports to China have returned to pre-epidemic levels

The Alliance Group, a large meat conglomerate based in Invercargill on South Island New Zealand, said its exports to China had returned to pre-epidemic levels, while those to the North American and European markets remained severely affected by the COVID 19 epidemic.

2. New Zealand and Australia were expected to be the first to open borders to each other

New Zealand was very likely to become the first country to reopen its borders to Australia as we were gradually easing the restrictions on Covid-19, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed.

3. Wearing a mask or not? Director-General of Health: Up to you

Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand's Director-General of Health, reiterated at the COVID-19 daily update on April 23 that you could either wear or not wear a mask as you liked.

Dr. Broomfield said that the Ministry of Health had no problem with New Zealanders who wanted to exercise caution and wear masks in public at this point, but one thing worthy noting was that wearers should under the disadvantages and the possible benefits of wearing masks.

Again, he stressed, a very important thing was that when you were wearing masks, you would touch your noses, mouths and ears, consciously or unconsciously, increasing the chances of infection, and what’s more, masks were more likely to spread the virus when they became moist.

4. Air New Zealand announced its flight plans under level 3 alert

Air New Zealand announced its domestic flight operation schedule during the level 3 alert on April 22. Under the alert, air travel is limited to basic travel on the condition that the flight safety can be guaranteed. Besides, only a few cities in the country are available with flights: Christchurch, Nelson, Napier, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland.

5. Thousands of migrant workers have lost their jobs in the New Zealand’s resort Queenstown

More than 5,000 welfare applications have been made to the Queenstown Lakes District Government by thousands of migrant workers with limited or no income in the tourist town Queenstown, as their life has become tough after the tourism industry ground to a halt.

Andrew Wilson, Director of Queenstown Community Service Center, said those affected included local residents, youngsters and migrant workers. According to him, a lot of persons had been fired before the lockdown, but their flights had been canceled before they tried to leave. They had no access to government support and subsidies and no income, and what they could do was only paying for necessities and high rents on their own.

6. The ANZAC memorial service has been cancelled for the first time over the 104 years, but people will honor those who lost their lives in different ways

This year's Anzac Day memorial service would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 lockdown across the country. Tears welled up in the eyes of BJ Clark, President of the New Zealand Retired Servicemen Association (RSA), as he announced the decision. It was the first time that the memorial service had been cancelled over the past 104 years.

However, The New Zealand Retired Servicemen Association encouraged people to mark the Anzac Day at home this year. The Association also called on all new Zealanders to stand in silence in their driveways, living rooms, balconies or workbenches at 6:00 a.m. on 25 April, honoring those who had lost their lives in the war. Pete Dawson, President of Christchurch RSA, said the coronavirus could never block our memories and thoughts of the veterans and retired servicemen.

7. Dairy farmers are relieved: Moving Day, the first day of New Zealand's dairy season, will go ahead as planned

Moving Day, which celebrates the first day of New Zealand's dairy season, will go ahead as planned, despite the novel coronavirus outbreak’s ongoing. The New Zealand government has given the green light to the pillar of its economy.

Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said Moving Day would go ahead as planned, but should be tightly controlled to prevent the spread of COVID 19.

Every year on June 1, namely the first day of the cow season, many dairy farming families, milking workers, contract workers and employees move to new farms to start new employment and milking contracts. That’s why this day is called “Moving Day”.

The move is aimed at protecting New Zealand's dairy industry from the global novel coronavirus pandemic.

8. [COVID-19 • Government Policies] The government has introduced more new supporting policies to ease the pressure of small and medium-sized enterprises

According to New Zealand Labour Party, the government has introduced a number of new supporting policies to ease the pressure of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Finance Minister Hon Grant Robertson said that although the government had responded quickly to the crisis and announced support of about NZ$ 20 billion, it was still aware that more might be needed.

The new supporting policies include:

NZ$ 3.1 billion tax loss carry-over plan (calculated at estimated costs for the next two years)

A total of NZ$60 million is estimated to be saved annually for the enterprises by the change of the relevant tax loss continuity rules

NZ$25 million will be spent on consulting services for enterprises over the next 12 months. 

More flexible tax policies for affected businesses

Measures to provide support to commercial tenants and landlords

9. A straight-through Covid 19 test station has been set up in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch

The Whanau Ora Community Clinic has set up a straight-through Covid-19 test station at No. 250, Pages Road, Wainoni District, Christchurch.

Director of the Community Clinic said, 'we are opening a special testing station in the community to provide valuable resources to fighting against the epidemic. We want the people here to be in good conditions during the lockdown.'

It's a straight-through in-vehicle service, meaning that you don't have to get out of your car to test it unless you need to. You just need to sit in your car and spend about 15 to 20 minutes on the testing.

10. The Green Party proposed a NZ$ 9 billion Canterbury express railway

The New Zealand Green Party has raised a NZ$ 9 billion proposal to build a modern high-speed railway to boost Canterbury's economy.

Deputy Minister of Communications Julie Anne Genter said the proposal would upgrade the railway line linking Christchurch, Rangiora and Ashburton and leading to Timaru finally into an electrified express railway.

'This is the type of infrastructure project that will create jobs and put climate change at the forefront of government decision-making in the economic recovery after Covid-19,' she said.