New Zealand delays international force rotations
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) will postpone routine personnel rotations as a result of the travel restrictions introduced globally to tackle COVID-19.
Whilst rotations will not take place, the NZFD reiterated that it is not withdrawing any of its forces from existing missions.
RAdm. Jim Gilmour, Commander of Joint Forces New Zealand, said: ‘Usually, we would be rotating personnel on missions after six or 12 months, depending on the nature of the deployment.’
He continued: ‘because of border closures, travel restrictions and other measures imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 we are compelled to postpone several planned rotations.’
The government announced on 20 April that the country will move out of Alert Level 4 lockdown on 27 April at 23:59.
The country will then remain at Level 3 lockdown for 14 days until the cabinet decides whether to lift the lockdown on 11 May.
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