New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has overseen his country’s response to the world of Pandemic Coronavirus, has been positive for Covid-19, his office announced on Saturday.
The symptoms of Ardern are moderate and he will isolate at home for seven days, the government said in a statement.
He has been in isolation since last week, when his colleague Clarke Gayford was tested positive, and was scheduled to continue his parliamentary duties on Monday.
New Zealand enforced one of the most stringent approaches in the world to manage the early outbreaks of Covid-19 in 2020, and the death toll 892 remained among the lowest developed countries.
However, he has experienced a surge in Omicron since the restriction was relaxed in March, with a positive case of Ardern among more than 50,000 recorded over the past week.
The statement said Ardern’s arrangement for the coming trade mission to the United States was not affected.
The details of the trip still need to be confirmed, although he is scheduled to give the address to start at Harvard University on May 26.
Ardern will not be present in parliament for two domestic announcements of high profiles-releases of the government emission reduction plan on Monday and opening the annual budget on Thursday.
“This is a milestone week for the government and I broke my heart I could not be there for that,” Ardern said.
Our emission reduction plans to set roads to achieve our zero carbon goals and the budget discusses the long -term future and security of the New Zealand 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.”