Auckland will suddenly enter a three-day lockdown after three new COVID-19 cases were detected outside of quarantine over the weekend. To help explain to people what is actually going on, Kiwi PM Jacinda Ardern jumped on Facebook Live right after finishing up with her usual press conference.
Here’s what’s happening from midnight on Sunday: people won’t be able to travel to/from Auckland, most business except supermarkets and pharmacies will close, children will be asked to stay home (although schools will remain open for working parents), people will be required to remain in their family bubbles, and gatherings of up to 10 will only be allowed for weddings, funerals and tangi.
But as most of us have already experienced, when any city suddenly goes into lockdown, plenty of questions arise from the chaotic flurry of instructions. That’s why Ardern went on Facebook Live to address some of her constituents personally.
“You’re all having to experience my terrible multitasking of reading these messages while I’m talking to you,” Ardern joked towards the end of the livestream.
As one might expect from such a phenomenally popular Prime Minister, the livestream was flooded with like, love and care reacts.
Ardern used the opportunity to answer peoples’ questions in real time, which is an extremely refreshing change from trying to make sense of the convoluted press conferences we have over here.
“Some people are asking whether or not they can leave Auckland. No, border checks will be going in place,” she said in one instance.
At around the 6:46 mark, some people even asked why Kiwis stuck overseas were still being let into the country.
Instead of scoffing or even ignoring that particular question, Ardern somehow managed to answer the it respectfully and compassionately, saying that no country in the world is barring its citizens from returning home, but that she “understands” why people might still ask that.
Before she signed off, Ardern answered one final question which suggested that she knew about the new cases before everyone else.
“I can assure you, no,” she said, giggling.
“Don’t listen to any conspiracy theories that’s you might hear out there. Please note that when we have cases, we move immediately on them and we share information.”
How bloody refreshing is it to hear such a swift and normal condemnation of conspiracy theories?
You really do love to see it.
