PMisolating as partner has Covid-19

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will spend the next seven days in home isolation after her partner Clarke Gayford caught Covid-19.

Ardern shared the news on a Mother’s Day Facebook post, joking that she would have a lot more family time over the next week.

‘‘Clarke woke up feeling a bit average and has tested positive for Covid, so we have 7 days of family time ahead of us!’’ Ardern said.

‘‘I’m fine and so is Neve. I’ll be working from home so anyone who watches question time, or is attending my Business NZ speech on Wednesday, you’ll still see me remotely!’’

A spokesperson for the prime minister said Ardern would continue to attend Parliament and do other work remotely.

Gayford first felt symptoms yesterday so this is his and the household’s ‘‘day 0’’ – meaning Ardern will not leave isolation until Monday May 16 – provided she does not get infected with Covid-19 herself. There is a possibility – if she gets infected on Thursday or afterwards – that she could miss the Budget on May 19, the most important political date of the year.

She is currently in Premier House inWellington.