The farewell celebration for the departing Covid CEO in New Zealand was cut short due to coronavirus because of an increase in Omicron cases.
Along with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Director General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield has led the official response of the nation to the Covid problems, consistently addressing the daily news briefings.
It appears that no staff social event to bid him farewell is on the table, despite the fact that he announced his departure in April of this year and would leave the position at the end of this month.
‘We’ve cancelled karaoke. We’ll do that later in the year, I hope. If the staff still want to come,’ Dr Bloomfield told reporters on Tuesday.
As the nation struggles with a frigid winter, flu and Omicron cases are increasing. On Tuesday, health officials reported 10,424 Covid cases and 21 Covid-related deaths.
Even though there aren’t any explicit laws against gatherings, Dr. Bloomfield advised New Zealanders to maintain an informal social distance during the winter wave.
It was intended for Dr. Bloomfield’s own gathering to be a big one, with department staff and their partners invited, but it was scaled back to set an example.
We’ve decided to hold a much more basic gathering without food or drinks. The vast majority of those who were invited will attend via zoom, and everyone will be wearing masks,’ he claimed.
New Zealand’s is under an ‘orange light’ restriction level where people are required to wear masks in public indoor settings, such as public transport, shops and libraries.
Earlier this month the government announced more face masks and rapid antigen tests would be distributed in an effort to battle the renewed wave.
Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister, postponed her marriage to TV host Clarke Gayford in a similar way during the first Omicron wave in January.
Lorde, a New Zealand singer-songwriter, was apparently supposed to attend the ceremony, although it hasn’t been scheduled or taken place yet.
To prevent the spread of Covid during the winter, New Zealanders are urged to wear masks indoors while out in public, remain home if ill, and receive booster vaccines.