In the wake of a new wave of Omicron cases in New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Sunday that she is canceling her wedding.
“My wedding won’t be going ahead but I just join many other New Zealanders who have had an experience like that as a result of the pandemic,” Ardern said during a regular COVID-19 news conference today, CNN reported.
According to CNN, health officials in Motueka have reported nine Omicron cases in a single-family household. The family traveled to Auckland last weekend to attend a wedding, a funeral, an amusement park, and a tourist attraction. Thereby, prompting the country to switch to the highest “red light” setting.
“Such is life,” Jacinda Ardern said when asked how she felt about canceling the wedding. It was supposed to take place this summer.
According to CNN, New Zealand announced last month that it would delay its phased border reopening until the end of February due to concerns about the Omicron type.
Chris Hipkins, the nation’s minister for COVID-19 response, said: “Waiting till the end of February will increase New Zealand’s overall protection and slow Omicron’s eventual spread. There’s no doubt this is disappointing and will upset many holiday plans. But it’s important to set these changes out clearly today so they can have time to consider those plans.”
According to CNN, Hipkins also stated that New Zealand’s Cabinet has agreed to other precautionary measures; such as reducing the time between a second Covid-19 vaccine dose and a booster shot from six to four months. Also, increasing the required length of stay in managed isolation and quarantine for returning travelers from seven to ten days.
