New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Postpones Wedding Due to Omicron
Jacinda Ardern cancels the wedding due to the Omicron outbreak in New Zealand.
About 93 per cent of New Zealanders aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated, and 52 per cent have had a booster shot. The country has just begun vaccinating children aged between 5 and 11. New Zealand had been among the few remaining countries to have avoided any outbreaks of Omicron. However 9 cases of Omicron were detected in a single family that flew to Auckland for a wedding earlier this month. This is why New Zealand government imposed strict rules to control the spread of Omicron. The restrictions started on Monday 24 January 2022. Indoor hospitality venues such as bars and restaurants as well events like weddings will be capped at 100 people. Masks have become mandatory. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, ‘This is not lockdown. Businesses can remain open and people can still visit family and friends and move freely around the country. But the restrictions are important to control the spread of the virus.
I was supposed to get married to my long time partner, Clarke Gayford but I have decided to postpone the wedding so that there is no risk of infection and I can focus on my duties as PM as new Zealand is going through such a difficult time.”
