INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tested positive for COVID-19 with moderate symptoms, her office said in a statement on
Saturday.She will not be in parliament for the government&s emissions reduction plan on Monday and the budget on Thursday, but ''travel
arrangements for her trade mission to the United States are unaffected at this stage,& the statement said.Ardern had been symptomatic since
Friday evening, returning a weak positive at night and a clear positive on Saturday morning on a rapid antigen test, it said.She has been in
isolation since Sunday, when her partner Clarke Gayford tested positive, it said.Due to the positive test, Ardern will be required to
isolate until the morning of May 21, undertaking what duties she can remotely.Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson will address media in
her place on Monday.This is a milestone week for the Government and I&m gutted I can''t be there for it,& Ardern said in the statement.Our
emissions reduction plan sets the path to achieve our carbon zero goal and the budget addresses the long-term future and security of New
Zealand&s health system,& she said
&But as I said earlier in the week isolating with COVID-19 is a very kiwi experience this year and my family is no different.Ardern also
said on Saturday that her daughter Neve had tested positive on Wednesday.Despite best efforts, unfortunately I&ve joined the rest of my
family and have tested positive for COVID 19,& Ardern posted on her official Instagram page.The post New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern tests positive for COVID first appeared on Ariana News.
