New Zealand’s Ardern turned away from cafe under virus rules

Agence France-Presse

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New Zealand’s Ardern turned away from cafe under virus rules

AFP

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, her fiance Clarke Gayford, and their friends are turned away from a Wellington cafe because of social distancing rules

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – In New Zealand, no one is exempt from the strict coronavirus prevention measures – not even Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was denied entry to a cafe because of her own social distancing rules.

Ardern, her fiance Clarke Gayford, and a group of friends were turned away from a cafe in Wellington on Saturday, May 16, because it had already reached its customer limit. 

“I have to take responsibility for this, I didn’t get organised and book anywhere,” Gayford tweeted in response to another diner, who had spotted the couple being turned away.

As New Zealand eases out of its coronavirus lockdown, cafes were allowed to reopen on Thursday, May 21, but must maintain social distancing between tables and customers must remain seated. (READ: Crewcuts and catch-ups as New Zealand lockdown ends)

A diner who saw Ardern refused entry told Stuff media that a cafe employee “had to awkwardly say it was full and there were no tables, and they left.”

Fortunately for Ardern’s party, other diners left soon after, and staff from the cafe were able to run down the street to invite the prime minister back. 

“Was very nice of them to chase us down the street when a spot freed up. A+ service,” Gayford tweeted. – Rappler.com

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