New Zealand declares Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy as 'essential workers' amid COVID-19 lockdown
The coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep nations by thousands. The stay-at-home orders and ban on public gatherings by governments to control the spread of the disease have indefinitely put a stop to any celebrations that were underway. Children especially have had to struggle quite a bit, as they've been forced to stay in their homes and not engage in any outdoor activities.
With Easter is right around the corner, everyone, young and old might be dismayed that egg-hunting and other easter festivities won't take place this year. With this sentiment in mind, New Zealand has officiated the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy as two new important job categories in the country's "essential workers" register.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has time and again been lauded for the 'compassionate' way in which she has handled the coronavirus outbreak in her home country, said the Washington Post. And she's done it yet again, keeping in mind that little moppets at home are struggling in this time of crisis just as any other person.
In a personal message to the children that Ardern sent out after her Cabinet briefing on April 6, she said that with the Easter holiday coming up, she was officially adding the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy to the list of "essential workers". The two carry out essential tasks annually, and so they have been classified as such which means they can't visit every child's home this year.
"You’ll be pleased to know that we do consider both the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers," she said. "But as you can imagine, at this time they’re going to be potentially quite busy at home with their family as well and their own bunnies."
She especially spoke to those families that are in a tight financial situation due to the lockdown and can't possibly afford to have Easter egg hunts, candies, and gifts this year. She assured the children in the families that it could be hard for the Easter Bunny to get around to every house because of all the restrictions that are in place due to the virus.
"I say to the children of New Zealand, if the Easter Bunny doesn’t make it to your household, we have to understand that it’s a bit difficult at the moment for the bunny to perhaps get everywhere," she said.
She also suggested an idea for improvisation on the Easter egg hunt to accommodate the children who could possibly miss the Easter bunny, this year. She asked neighborhoods to set up their own egg hunts by placing an easter egg on their window so that children passing by the houses with their parents in tow, could spot it.
"But I have a bit of an idea that may be in lieu of the Bunny being able to make it to you home, maybe you could create your own Easter hunt for all the children in your neighborhood? So if you are one of those homes that have had a teddy in your front window, maybe draw an Easter egg and pop it into your front window and help children in your neighborhood with their own Easter egg hunt - because the Easter Bunny might not get everywhere this year," she added.
People have been taking to social media to applaud the NZ Prime Minister for her thoughtfulness towards the children's concerns of not being able to celebrate one of their favorite annual holidays.
"Having been told that a reporter had received a letter from a child wondering if the Easter Bunny would be exempt from the lockdown, New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Ardern once again showed why she is one of the great world leaders," a user said in appreciation. "Is anyone else panic-watching Jacinda Ardern videos or is it just me? She’s like a bowl of warm soup on a long cold night," said another.
A third said encouragingly, "This is absolutely adorable. Wonderful, compassionate & sensible leadership @jacindaardern, even on the hard-hitting issues like the #EasterBunny. #NZ."
On March 25, Ardern announced that the country would go into a four-week national lockdown to restrict movement with the country and control the contagion. The instructed called for all New Zealanders to remain with their homes except for "essential workers," i.e in healthcare, retail, law enforcement, etc.