March 15 event to go ahead
The March 15 anniversary event and Pasifika Festival can go ahead after the Ministry of Health gave them a tick.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had sought urgent advice on two large events planned for this weekend, as many other events around the world have been canned for fear of spreading coronavirus.
That advice said the events could go ahead as there had been no community spread of the virus so far in New Zealand.
The ministry warned that anyone who felt sick should stay home, however.
‘‘People need to take responsibility for not spreading illness; if you have a temperature or cough or cold then stay at home and don’t attend. Those attending should follow the advice around regular handwashing and appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette,’’ a spokesperson said.
‘‘Large-scale public events can proceed, but it’s up to organisers to ensure people can practise good hygiene at the event, and up to everyone who attends to ensure they don’t put others at risk by attending if they are unwell.’’
The ministry will be reviewing this advice ahead of the events and working to ensure there is information about coronavirus at the Pasifika Festival.
Talk of cancelling the commemorations of those lost in the terrorist attack has been met with understanding within the Christchurch Muslim community.
Linwood Mosque general secretary and Islamic centre trustee Faisal Sayed told while the anniversary event offered the chance to send a message of solidarity and remembrance, he understood the importance of community wellbeing.
‘‘It’s unfortunate there’s five confirmed cases in Auckland. Personally, I wouldn’t want that to be travelling to Christchurch.
‘‘In the support of due diligence, if that’s the decision that will be taken, I think it’s a rational decision.’’
He would be discussing the potential cancellation of the event with leaders, and whether another event could occur ‘‘once everything is contained’’.
Muslim Association of Canterbury general secretary Muhommed Feroze Ditta was not disappointed in the event’s potential cancellation.
‘‘If there is a public health concern, then that should be taken in to account.
‘‘Really it’s up to the Christchurch City Council to make that call.’’
A Christchurch City Council spokesman said the council was following Ministry of Health advice, which did not propose altering arrangements for public events.
It advised event organisers to focus on reminding the public to stay home if unwell, and not attend events if they have travelled from mainland China, Iran, northern Italy or the Republic of Korea, or been in close contact with someone confirmed with
Covid-19 in the past 14 days. Ardern herself joined thousands of people at Newtown Festival in Wellington on Sunday.
Around the world, hundreds of large events have been cancelled because of fears around
Covid-19 spreading, particularly in the United States.
The Pasifika Festival was cancelled last year as a result of the March 15 terror attack, in which
51 people were killed. National leader Simon Bridges said he wouldn’t be critical of the Government going either way on the events, saying it should pay attention to whatever the advice was.