Dr Ashley Bloomfield dramatically scales back planned event, including cancelling the karaoke, in face of Omicron surge
Asked at a press conference whether New Zealanders should be limiting large social gatherings, he used his own upcoming party as an example, saying the large, formal event planned by the ministry had been called off.
“We’ve now gone for a much smaller, modest event with no food and drink. Everyone will be wearing masks and the large number of people that were invited will be joining via zoom,” Bloomfield said. That austere affair is a sad contrast to previous plans. When asked about his leaving in April, Bloomfield had said “heck yes” on the matter of karaoke, and that “probably I’ll kick off with Friday I’m in Love by The Cure”.
His rendition is not the only social calendar casualty of Omicron. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced in January that she was, as the variant began spreading in New Zealand and large gatherings were canceled or postponed. With cases again soaring, officials are asking that New Zealanders protect the health system by wearing masks, staying home if sick, getting booster vaccinations and avoiding shared, unventilated spaces.
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