New Zealand said it will reduce its scientific projects in Antarctica to keep the virtually uninhabited continent free from Covid-19, AFP reported.

Antarctica New Zealand, the government agency that does environmental research on the desolate landmass and the Southern Ocean, said limiting the number of people visiting was key to stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

The agency said it had decided to support “only long term science monitoring, essential operational activity and planned maintenance this season” at its Scott Base after consulting other research programmes in the region.

According to reports, the number of projects was being cut from 36 to 13 across the upcoming research season from October to March.