New Zealand PM Apologizes For Not Wearing Masks When Taking Selfies With Supporters

New Zealand PM, Jacinda Ardern (Photo: Mark Mitchell / newstalkzb)

JAKARTA - The Prime Minister (PM) of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, apologized for taking selfies with supporters without wearing masks. Ardern was also negligent by breaking social distancing rules with a group of students last Thursday.

Launching CNN, Wednesday, September 23, the photo footage of Ardren taking a selfie without wearing a mask and violating social distancing was criticized by a number of parties. Given that Ardren had previously announced the lockdown rules would still be carried out in Auckland.

"Throughout the campaign trail and even before during the alert level setting, I worked very hard not to shake hands. I cleaned myself, I wore a mask in Auckland. And I worked hard to try and maintain social distancing," Ardern said.

PM Jacinda Ardern admits she 'made a mistake' with group photohttps: //t.co/zGGKmLZoM2 pic.twitter.com/SoCjrzSIft

- Newstalk ZB (@NewstalkZB) September 21, 2020

"In that photo I made a mistake, I should have gone further forward. I should have asked him to stay away from each other, and I admit that," he said.

"It's difficult," he added, promising to "follow those awkward moments where he would refuse to shake hands."

New Zealand National Party leader Judith Collins, also commented on this. Collins, who is also campaigning, said at a press conference that he "stumbled" to see the photo of the Labor leader without a mask and without social distancing.

An opposition politician also criticized Ardern for taking very close selfies of students while campaigning. He indirectly said that the person who made the social distancing rule was the one who violated the rule.

"The hospitality business cannot make money at Level 2 because of social distancing rules. Meanwhile, people in charge of the rules serve themselves and do not maintain social distancing," said David Seymour.

On the other hand, the New Zealand election process which was supposed to be carried out last month had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Where Ardren has received the majority of support from the National Party and workers in the polls.

Speaking about COVID-19 in New Zealand, Ardern said his government had collectively managed to bring the virus under control with no new reported cases for the past seven days. So Ardren claims he can immediately make a decision to revoke the lockdown in his city.