No special favours: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern turned away from cafe

That was two days after the country relaxed many of its lockdown rules, including reopening restaurants.

By AP

Published: Sat 16 May 2020, 2:16 PM

Last updated: Sat 16 May 2020, 4:25 PM

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern found out there are no exceptions when it comes to social distancing after she was initially turned away from a cafe because it was too full under coronavirus guidelines.

Ardern and her fiance, Clarke Gayford, decided to get brunch Saturday at Olive, a restaurant in the capital Wellington.

That was two days after the country relaxed many of its lockdown rules, including reopening restaurants.
But social distancing rules still apply, requiring groups to remain at least one metre apart from each other. Many restaurants have limited their seating to comply with the rules.

What happened next played out on Twitter.

"Omg Jacinda Ardern just tried to come into Olive and was rejected cause it's full," wrote one Twitter user, Joey.

Gayford took the time to respond: "I have to take responsibility for this, I didn't get organized and book anywhere. Was very nice of them to chase us down st (street) when a spot freed up. A+ service."

Another Twitter user, Joanne, chimed in: "This has to be the most Kiwi tweet I've ever read ... love it, love NZ."

Asked for comment, a spokesperson from Ardern's office said in an email that waiting at a cafe is something that anyone can experience during New Zealand's virus restrictions: "The PM says she just waits like everyone else."

Ardern has been widely praised for her swift and decisive response to the pandemic.

New Zealand closed its borders and instituted a strict lockdown in March, and has been largely successful in its goal of eliminating the virus.

Health authorities have reported just a single new case over the past five days.

The country has confirmed a total of 1498 cases, including 21 deaths.