As I am write this column New Zealand has moved into our first day at Covid Alert Level 1 after two weeks of no new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand and confirmation yesterday that we have zero remaining active cases.

Going hard and early has meant we have been able to eliminate the virus and move into a recovery phase, unlike many other countries who are still battling new outbreaks. Our priority now is to get our economy moving again while maintaining our strong health response to the deadly virus. While moving to Level 1 is a very positive step we must continue to work together to keep Covid out. Because of our strong health response and economic management we are well placed to rise to those challenges.

Our Government moved quickly to protect us from the economic blow of COVID-19, saving tens of thousands of jobs and helping to keep businesses afloat. The wage subsidy introduced quite early helped benefit almost 1.7 million New Zealanders.

Budget 2020 will continue to address recovery and rebuilding our economy post the pandemic. We’re creating new jobs in the area of roads, housing, redeveloping hospitals and protecting the environment. We are also helping people upskill themselves to get the skills they need for the jobs we need to rebuild by offering free training and apprenticeships. The wage subsidy scheme is also extended to make interest-free loans available for small businesses who may be struggling.

Budget 2020 projections tell us that unemployment could be back down to normal levels in just two years and our economy could be growing again as early as 2021.

Alert Level 1 maintains firm border controls but all current rules and restrictions on businesses and other services are lifted. Equally, rules for hospitality such as physical distancing in restaurants as well as on planes, trains and buses will cease.

Many of us will be pleased to hear that restrictions on gatherings will no longer apply. That means that church and temple services can be held and sports and concerts can resume so we can watch sports or celebrate together.

Greater freedom will be very welcome but it will mean greater responsibility. It will be still very important to practice good hand hygiene, to keep track of where we go or who we are in contact with and to stay home if we feel sick.

We united as a team of five million to defeat this deadly virus. Now let’s stick together to support the people who are suffering most from its economic impact. You can help by continuing with good hygiene measures and by shopping in your community to support local businesses. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern we have taken decisive action to beat Covid 19 and we now have an opportunity to build an inclusive recovery for all New Zealanders.

We’re still all in this together.

– Michael Wood MP for Mount Roskill, Auckland. Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities.