New Zealand’s Ardern turned away from café under coronavirus rules
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) — Hailed for her leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner were turned away from a café on Saturday because it was too full under the physical distancing guidelines.
Ardern and Clarke Gayford walked for a brunch to a café in the country’s capital, Wellington, where they were initially told it was too full, New Zealand media reported. An employee ran after them a few minutes later when a table became free and the couple went back.
Arden’s partner, Clarke Gayford, took the blame on himself.
“I have to take responsibility for this, I didn’t get organized and book anywhere,” Gayford said on Twitter. “Was very nice of them to chase us down st when a spot freed up. A+ service.”
The prime minister’s press service said that waiting at a cafe is likely with the virus restrictions.
“The PM says she just waits like everyone else,” the public Television New Zealand cited Ardern’s press service as saying.