For the first time in weeks, today’s news is not the same as yesterday.
Latest: Read about the reopening of Caribbean Islands here.
The world is not sunshine and rainbows now but it isn’t all dull either. Some countries have declared themselves COVID-free through sheer will and action in curtailing the pandemic. Apart from New Zealand and Iceland, these are the countries that have declared themselves COVID-free as of today.
1. New Zealand
New Zealand de-escalated the lockdown following an 18-day streak of no new cases. After some days though, two travellers from the UK who had entered New Zeland on the grounds of visiting their ill family member were tested positive for COVID-19, ending the ever-long COVID-free phase. However, New Zealand’s Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says they were prepared for such a situation and are actively combating the situation.
2. Slovenia
Slovenia officially became the first European country to become COVID-free after a two-month battle period with COVID-19. A tourist-centric location like Slovenia merging COVID-free in early May painted “the best epidemiological picture” in Europe, said Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša.
3. Vatican City
Vatican City defeated COVID-19 on June 6 with only a few cases and no deaths. The last person to be tested for COVID-19 tested positive, confirming this statement by the government.
4. Tanzania
Following 509 COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths since April 29th, the East African country’s President John Magufuli finally declared the country COVID-free recently.
5. Fiji
Totally 18 people were tested positive for COVID-19 in Fiji since the pandemic started. Following everyone’s recovery, the country officially itself COVID-free on June 5. “Our 100% recovery rate has answered prayers, hard work, and affirmation of science”, stated Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama on his social media.
6. Montenegro
There are chances you haven’t heard of this small Balkan country bordering countries such as Serbia, Croatia and Albania. The first COVID-19 case was reported on March 17 and since then, Montenegro has reported 324 cases. In a fortunate turn of events, the country hasn’t reported any new case since May end and is bouncing back strong towards being COVID-free.
7. Seychelles
Seychelles’s stint with COVID-19 extended from late March to early-May. At the end of its one-month lockdown, Seychelles declared itself COVID-free on May 18.
8. Mauritius
Mauritius announced that the country is COVID-free after a 20-day streak of no new cases. With a 96% COVID-recovery rate, the country has reopened several attractions and regions to locals, albeit the borders remain closed.
9. Papua New Guinea
The Oceania country declared itself COVID-free on as early May 4, with 24 reported cases, all recovered.
10. Iceland
Also read: Summer trip to Iceland is back on track — the country restarts travel by June 15th!
Iceland’s Scandinavian counterparts look up to the country’s road to COVID-free status as a means for some serious inspiration. Albeit the country experienced only 1,816 cases, at the rate of COVID-19 spread during the peak stage, more harm would’ve befallen Iceland had the country not flattened the curve immediately. There were even days when Iceland saw 100% cases jump in a single day. The country never implemented a full-blown lockdown and eliminated the curve sheerly through rapid testing and treatment.
Read more travel updates and news on tourism revival.
