WELLINGTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, with the number of active cases in the country being 20, all in managed isolation facilities, according to the Ministry of Health.
It has been 91 days since the last case of COVID-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source, according to the ministry.
The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains at 1,210, which is the number reported to the World Health Organization, said a ministry statement.
Four previously reported cases are now considered to have recovered, which brings the total number of active cases in New Zealand's managed isolation and quarantine facilities to 20, it said, adding there is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for COVID-19.
Legislation to allow the government to recover some of the costs for managed isolation and quarantine was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday.
"The bill will allow the government to charge for managed isolation and quarantine facilities. We have carefully considered how to design a system that is fair on arrivals and not a barrier for returning to New Zealand, especially for those who might already be experiencing financial stress," said New Zealand Minister of Housing Megan Woods on Wednesday.
"We want to share the costs in a way that fairly reflects the benefits to both the New Zealand public of having such a robust system, and those who leave and enter the country," she said. Enditem
