New Zealand PM, Jacinda Ardern Apologises For Selfie With No Social Distancing

Even though New Zealand Prime Minister recently ended all pandemic-related restrictions outside of Auckland, she came under fire for taking a selfie with a bunch of fans without adhering to any rules of social distancing.

Jacinda Ardern is known to take selfies, and regularly snaps pictures with her supporters wherever she goes. However, due to the looming fear of coronavirus in the country, the PM apologised for being a little casual.

Hospitality businesses can't make money at Level 2 because of single server and social distancing rules. Meanwhile, the person responsible for the rules is self-serving and not social distancing. pic.twitter.com/4HUMKJNkU4

¡ª David Seymour (@dbseymour) September 18, 2020

She was touring Palmerston North, when people asked to get a photo with her. Someone taking a photo of the moment showed that Ms Ardern didn't take the necessary steps to keep everyone at least 1.5 metres away.

After the backlash over the picture the Prime Minister apologised.

"In that particular photo I made a mistake. Yes I should have moved further forwards and I should have asked them to step apart as well,¡± she reportedly said.

She further said, "It is hard. I will keep up, as I have, those awkward moments where I refuse to shake hands."

National leader, Judith Collins, criticising the picture said she was 'staggered' to see the photo do the rounds on social media and believes the Prime Minister needs to be setting an example of how to conduct oneself in public.

Also Read: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Visits Hindu Temple To Offer Prayers

Representative Image/NPR

The criticism was harsh, more so because Palmerston North was in Alert Level 2 at the time, which requires people to maintain social distancing from each other.

During a press conference Collins said, "I was staggered to see the Prime Minister clearly not socially distancing with no mask just the other day in Palmerston North in a level 2 lockdown. Clearly she has no concern about it."

David Seymour also criticised his opponent and wrote on Twitter, ¡®Hospitality businesses are going broke at alert level 2 because of a single server and social distance rules. Meanwhile, the person responsible for the rules is breaking them - small business owners will be angry¡¯.

Also Read: PM Jacinda Ardern Admits She 'Did A Little Dance' After New Zealand Became COVID-19 Free

AFP

Lockdown restriction have been rolled back in New Zealand except Auckland where there was a second wave of coronavirus infections.

People can now meet others, move freely, gather in crowds, use public transport without having to wear a mask.

A self-aware leader who recognises where she has gone wrong is what all our leaders should be like.