Finally seen sense? New Zealand Government takes action! Auckland event for tens of thousands cancelled at short notice!
Auckland's Pasifika Festival has been cancelled to reduce the risk posed by the spread of coronavirus.
Auckland Council confirmed this morning that the event had been cancelled after Auckland Mayor Phil Goff met Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday and again this morning.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also recommended cancelling the event.
“Although the Ministry of Health's latest advice is that there is no community outbreak of COVID-19 in New Zealand and the risk of one remains low, Auckland Council and the Cabinet committee are particularly concerned about the risk of festival attendees carrying the virus to the Pacific Islands,” Mr Goff said.
Goff said last year's measles outbreak, which spread to Samoa and killed 82 people, had weighed heavily on the decision.
“As Aucklanders, we are all disappointed that the festival will not go ahead, particularly our Pacific communities,” Mr Goff said.
“However, Aucklanders will understand the council taking commonsense measures to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.”
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Pasifika Festival has been cancelled for the second consecutive year, with Mr Goff saying both cancellations were for reasons beyond their control.
“The council will continue to monitor the response to coronavirus and is ready to respond to any advice from health authorities to help them share information and manage any health needs in the Auckland region,” Mr Goff said.
“The future of other public events will be determined case by case, based on advice from health authorities and the COVID-19 situation at the time.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was disappointed, but the health of New Zealanders and Pacific communities was the top priority.
“We still have no community transmission, but with new, specific advice about the number of people coming into New Zealand for Pasifika who will return to the Pacific after the event, we felt we needed to be especially cautious,” Ms Ardern said.
“We have a responsibility to protect the Pacific from COVID-19, and that is what this decision is about.”