Coronavirus New Zealand: Jacinda Ardern floats idea of four-day week to boost economy post-lockdown
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A four-day week could boost the economy and help employees achieve a better work-life balance, Jacinda Ardern has suggested, as New Zealand resumes business following an eight-week coronavirus shutdown. To think about if that’s something that would work for your workplace because it certainly would help tourism all around the country.” Tourism is vital for the New Zealand economy and is worth around 6 per cent of GDP, according to government figures. New Zealand lifted its nationwide lockdown last week having recorded just 21 Covid-19 related deaths, with a further 1,553 confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were up to 20,000 British nationals living, working or travelling in New Zealand prior to lockdown, according to official figures, many of whom travelled back to the UK during the pandemic.