JAKARTA - New Zealand's Health Minister, David Clark, was forced to resign after violating his country's national lockdown rules. Instead of staying at home or doing self-isolation, he even invited his family to take a walk to the beach which is not far from where he lives.
Launching from The Guardian, Clark was caught wandering on a mountain bike about 2 km from his home in Dunedin. Pictures of him and his family went viral on social media. Even though at that time all New Zealanders were urged to stay at home or self-quarantine.
But no matter what Clark had in mind, he was repeating a similar mistake. And even more ridiculous. During the lockdown, he carried his family to Doctor's Point beach the first weekend after the lockdown was set for March 25.
Clark with his family to the beach by car. In fact, one of New Zealand's lockdown rules is to only allow the use of cars to buy essential supplies such as food or medicine.
'I've been an idiot': Health Minister David Clark admits another lockdown breach - PM demotes him https://t.co/bMbuPMbcA7
- nzherald (@nzherald) April 6, 2020
Admitting His Foolish Mistakes
Clark admits that a trip to the beach during the lockdown was a clear violation. Therefore it has submitted its resignation to the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern.
"When we asked the public to make historic sacrifices, I even disappointed the team. I have become an idiot, and I understand people will be angry with me," Clark said as quoted by The Guardian.
The New Zealand Health Minister said that he had apologized to the PM and submitted his resignation. He acknowledged that as the highest health authority, it was his responsibility to not only follow the rules, but also set an example for New Zealanders.
Prime Minister Ardern then responded to Clark's statement, saying he would not give his portfolio as health minister and place him at the bottom of the cabinet. However, in this precarious condition, Clark's position is not removed.
We're working hard towards getting 36 new ICU beds in the new Hagley building at Christchurch Hospital operational next week. Huge thank you to the 300 workers on-site and DHB working to get the ICU ready! # COVID19
- David Clark (@DavidClarkNZ) March 31, 2020
"Under normal conditions I would fire the minister of health. What he did was wrong, and there is no excuse," Ardern said. "But for now, my priority is fighting COVID-19. We cannot do a major disruption to the health sector. Therefore, Dr Clark will maintain his role," he stressed.
The number of positive cases in Zealand is currently 1,210 with only one death. While those who recovered were recorded as many as 282 people.
PM Ardern still considers this pandemic as a very serious threat, even though his country has recorded good news. On Tuesday, New Zealand recorded more recoveries than those infected that day. His director general of health said this was an exciting milestone.
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