PM Jacinda Arden Promotes DIY Face Mask As New Zealand Mandates Compulsory Masks In Public Transport
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she has made her own face covering to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. On Friday, New Zealand reported five new cases in Auckland and seven more in quarantine after arriving from overseas.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she has made her own face covering to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
According to Reuters, the Pacific nation of 5 million people had seemed to stop community transmission of COVID-19 due to tough lockdown measures but reintroduced restrictions in its largest city - Auckland - this month, following a fresh outbreak.
Facebook/Jacinda Arden
With restrictions to scale back on Sunday, Ardern said in a Facebook post that she was taking matters into her own hands before masks become compulsory on public transport across the country the following day.
At a meeting with local community health leader Dave Letele, "One of the things we talked about was face coverings, and how to make your own at home," Ardern, who faces a general election in October, wrote in the post. "I had a go at making one," she added, alongside a photo of a patch of fabric, scissors and two elastic hair ties.
Also Read: Meet The Doctor Who Powered India's Decision To Make Face Masks Compulsory
A follow-up video showed her crafting a simple red mask, the colour of the Labour Party.
"That's my first time crafting," she said. "I'm going to pull out my glitter gun later."
Speaking with Dave Letele from Buttabean MotivationAs promised, here¡¯s the video with Dave Letele from Buttabean Motivation. We caught up earlier this week to talk about how Auckland is doing, some of the COVID myths that are out there, and how to make your own face covering. Thanks again Dave! Really enjoyed chatting with you.
Posted by Jacinda Ardern on Thursday, August 27, 2020
Ardern is under pressure ahead of an upcoming general election, with the main opposition National Party accusing the government of failing to secure quarantine facilities and withholding information.
Reuters
New Zealand¡¯s successful fight against COVID-19 was hailed globally, and the Pacific island nation of 5 million was seen as one of the safest places, as the pandemic raged globally.
Also Read: After Becoming Covid Free, New Zealand Is Cutting Its Research In Antarctica To Keep It Virus Free
It marked 100 days without a domestic transmission of the coronavirus on Sunday, but warned against complacency as countries like Vietnam and Australia which once had the virus under control, were battling resurgences.
Calls have grown to postpone the national election scheduled for September 19, as political parties suspended campaigns due to the new restrictions.
