Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of Fresh Zealand called off her wedding on Sunday, citing a new wave of Omicron infections in the country. She announced the same during a usual Covid-19 press conference.
Rising omicron cases in the world have led to the cancellation of many plans and events. Not only the normal people are suffering delays and lethargy but the diplomats and people in power have also been affected.
In a news conference, an official statement was made by Jacinda Ardern saying “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.”
According to health officials, Motueka has reported nine Omicron cases in a single-family household. The family reportedly traveled to Auckland last weekend to attend a wedding and a funeral.
They also went on to visit an amusement park and a tourist attraction and then prompted the country to switch to the highest “red light” setting. “Such is life,” Ardern said when asked how she felt about canceling the wedding that was supposed to take place this summer to broadcaster Clarke Gayford.
What do health officials have to say?
New Zealand said last month that it will delay its gradual border reopening until the end of February due to worries about the Omicron variety. The nation’s minister for Covid-19 response, Chris Hipkins, stated, “Waiting until the end of February will strengthen New Zealand’s overall defenses and limit the spread of Omicron.”
“There’s no question that this is disappointing and will cause many Christmas plans to be disrupted. But we all should keep in mind that these changes must be communicated properly today. This will ensure that people have time to examine their options.”
Hipkins also stated that New Zealand’s Cabinet has agreed to additional precautionary measures. Those measures will include reducing the time between a second Covid-19 vaccine dose and a booster shot from six to four months. It will also head towards increasing the required length of stay in managed isolation and quarantine for returning travelers from seven to ten days.
Who is Clarke Gayford, Arden’s Fiance?
Clarke Timothy Gayford popularly known as Clarke Gayford is a broadcaster for Radio New Zealand and the host of the fishing documentary show Fish of the Day. He is the fiancé of Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Gayford made an appearance in a brief Wellington paranormal video in mid-April 2020, supporting individuals who were caring for young children during the COVID-19 outbreak. In response, National Party Member of Parliament Brett Hudson voiced worries about the video politicizing the New Zealand Police.
The video was shot during an Epidemic Response Committee meeting in early May 2020. Gayford’s presence was considered justified, according to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, because he was a well-known television personality who had been in the television series.