As the cases of Coronavirus continue to still rise in some parts of the world, some countries have managed to flatten the curve effectively. One among them is New Zealand, which opened up its economy starting today. The country hasn't recorded a single positive COVID-19 case in three days and opens up with Level 2 restrictions. After months of strict lockdown measures, residents were happy to indulge in some of their favourite activities, be it grabbing a cup of coffee, watching a sunset or even meeting with the family. The Mayor of Queenstown went adventurous by trying out Bungee Jumping in the famous adventure town. Pictures and videos of people reliving the good days on the outside have been shared on social media. Life in Wuhan After Coronavirus Lockdown Captured in Twitter Thread Shows How China is Coping Up With Social Distancing After COVID 19 Crisis.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern announced at the start of the week that following strict lockdowns for almost 2 months, the country is moving to alert level 2. Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult took the plunge into level 2 quite literally. At dawn, he along with AJ Hackett Bungy NZ co-founder Henry van Asch took the plunge to open the spot for tourism. Boult was delighted to mark the reopening by taking the plunge himself early in the morning. He told reports, "That enthusiasm for local travel will bring a much-needed boost to our local economy and the thousands of locals that will benefit from the return to work this will deliver. I look forward to welcoming visitors to our district from across the country." Shanghai Disneyland Opens For Public After Months of Coronavirus Lockdown, View Pics and Videos With 'Magic of Social Distancing'.
Check Queenstown Mayor's Celebration With Bungee Jumping:
LOOK: The mayor of Queenstown, New Zealand bungee jumps to celebrate the nation’s easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions pic.twitter.com/8RKabWYvk5
— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) May 14, 2020
Other residents enjoyed their visit to their favourite coffee stores, some just going across to meet their families. Pictures of these little celebrations have been shared online.
Here's How People Celebrated:
A Good Sunrise
Good morning Auckland. Happy Level 2! pic.twitter.com/Der2xUkN52
— Dylan Reeve 💤🥨 (@DylanReeve) May 13, 2020
First Real Coffee!
1st "real" coffee since Feb #Level2 pic.twitter.com/TlGSIQkY6J
— Pat (@Pat_588) May 14, 2020
Little Things
It’s the little things... walking into a cafe to buy a cuppa... and people back playing tennis. NZ in level 2 of #Coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/vukKQI8gkC
— Craig Norenbergs (@CraigNorenbergs) May 14, 2020
First Restuarant Meal
First sit-down restaurant meal at Level 2! Good to be back!#YumChar pic.twitter.com/dxW2HnW6aS
— Matthew Chan (@matthewc1465) May 14, 2020
Celebrating With Local Food
How we celebrated level 2, supporting our now open local fish n chips shop Marsic Bros. pic.twitter.com/QXVKGeUlPi
— Shannon Haunui-Thompson (@SHaunui) May 14, 2020
Meeting With Grandparents
Yeah lockdown is over! Harper has not seen her grandparents and uncle since the lockdown @furbysass pic.twitter.com/EXx6PxuwIA
— Chang Hung-Duncan (@ChangHung23) May 14, 2020
The Happiness to See Friends Again
in other news, NZ is in #Level2 now!!!! I can see my friends again🥰🥰🥰
— taz🥺//✨In Level 2!!!✨ (@tazyeetie) May 14, 2020
Even looking at these pictures and celebrations also fills one with happiness and hope of things getting normal again. It also conveys how happiness is in small things like coffee, good meals or just meeting up with friends and family. Let us hope, all of us will see such brighter days once the wave of COVID19 eases out. Till then, stay home and stay safe!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2020 01:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).