New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s office has announced that she has tested positive for Covid-19.
Ardern’s symptoms are moderate and she will be isolated at home for seven days, the government said in a statement.
She has already been isolated since her partner Clarke Gayford tested positive last Sunday and was due to resume her parliamentary duties on Monday.
New Zealand has implemented the world’s most restrictive approach to managing the initial Covid-19 eruption in 2020, and its death toll is the lowest among 892 developed countries.
However, after easing the limits in March, it experienced an Omicron rise, with positive case reported among more than 50,000 in the past week.
The statement said Arden would not affect arrangements for the forthcoming U.S. trade operation.
She is scheduled to deliver her inaugural lecture at Harvard University on May 26, but details of the visit have not yet been confirmed.
Ardern will not be in parliament for two high-level domestic announcements, the release of the government’s emissions reduction plan on Monday and the unveiling of the annual budget on Thursday.
“This is a milestone week for the government and I’m gutted I can’t be there for it,” Ardern said.
“Our emissions reduction plan sets the path to achieve our carbon zero goal and the budget addresses the long-term future and security of New Zealand’s health system.
“But as I said earlier this week, isolating with Covid-19 is a very Kiwi experience this year and my family is no different.”
Ardern shared a photo of her positive test on Instagram.
(NDTV)
