New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Cancels Her Wedding Due to New COVID-19 Rules

Even the Prime Minister has to comply with new restrictions!

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, is leading by example, cancelling her wedding to comply with new COVID-19 restrictions.

New Zealand Moving To COVID-19 Red Setting

New Zealand is moving to the “red” setting under their COVID-19 protection system. This includes more mask-wearing, a cap of 100 people in indoor hospitality or events settings like weddings, or a cap of 25 if venues aren’t using vaccine passes. But why?

A family flew from Auckland, the North Island capital, to the South Island for a wedding. The wedding was attended by 100 people, and the family tested positive alongside a flight attendant. This cluster revealed the rise in community transmissions across the country and prompted the imposing of heightened restrictions.

These rules will be imposed starting from midnight on 23 January.

PM to Follow Restrictions and Cancel Wedding: “Such is Life.”

PM Ardern said that she was sorry for anyone who finds themselves in a similar scenario due to the restrictions. But when asked by reporters how she felt about the cancellation of the wedding, she simply replied, “Such is life.”

“I am no different to, dare I say it, thousands of other New Zealanders who have had much more devastating impacts felt by the pandemic, the most gutting of which is the inability to be with a loved one sometimes when they are gravely ill. That will far, far outstrip any sadness I experience.”

The words of a true leader who places her people before herself!

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Omicron Situation in Singapore

The Omicron variant, next in line after Delta, is making its wave across the world after being first detected in Hong Kong and southern Africa.

It has proven to be more easily transmissible even though it causes less severe symptoms.

The number of Omicron cases are also on the rise in Singapore. Last Saturday (22 January), the Ministry of Health revealed the first Omicron-related death: a 92-year-old woman died from complications related to the Omicron variant.

In the coming days, the number of cases may double every two to three days and daily cases may reach 15,000 or even more.

Will We Tighten Restrictions like New Zealand?

For now, there are no tightening of our COVID-19 safe management measures. There will be no changes to the five-person cap for visiting and dining out.

Additionally, large-scale events to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year will also not be allowed, to minimise the risk of a superspreader event happening.

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Featured Image: Shutterstock.com / photocosmos1