Jacinda Ardern “Did a Little Dance” After Learning NZ Had No Active COVID-19 Cases

Hey, she earned it.

While Australians are celebrating the decreasing number of coronavirus cases by going for a run and then eating a kebab, our New Zealand neighbours are busting out the dance moves.

And why shouldn't they? As of today, they have zero active cases of COVID-19.

New Zealand is free of #COVID-19 cases. The world sees what true leadership in a health crisis looks like. Give women power, let us show how we do it.

— Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet) June 8, 2020

According to the New Zealand Herald, the final remaining case—an Auckland woman in her 50s—has recovered from the virus, meaning the country, which underwent a strict lockdown early on, is now without any COVID-19 cases for the first time since 28 February. It has also been 17 days since the last case was reported in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has revealed that the country will now move to 'alert level 1' from midnight tonight, effectively letting New Zealand return to per-COVID normalcy.

At a press conference, Ardern said she "did a little dance" in front of her daughter Neve when she received the good news. Health Director General Ashley Bloomfield, on the other hand, allowed himself a "smile" upon learning about the number. Pretty stoic.

jacinda did a dance with neve and ashley had a broad smile and I simply.., cried when I heard that

— Olivia (@livsbiz) June 8, 2020

However, there remains a reasonable concern—not just in NZ but everywhere—that there may be unreported cases of COVID-19 out in the community, which is why testing and tracing remains a priority. Ardern said "we will almost certainly see cases here again," but noted, "that is not a sign we have failed."

Still: good bloody on NZ for squashing coronavirus in the way they have. People from all over the world have congratulated them, and, once again, asked PM Ardern if she can run their country too.

Also, remember that time she did an interview during an earthquake?

Header Image: Hagen Hopkins via GettyImages