‘It’s common sense’: Jacinda Ardern issues a ‘strong warning’ after The Wiggles advertised New Zealand concert dates without first securing placements in hotel quarantine
Jacinda Arden has issued a ‘strong warning’ amid The Wiggles’ upcoming New Zealand tour debacle.
On Thursday, it was revealed that the children’s music group had sold tickets for their upcoming New Zealand tour without first securing placements in hotel quarantine.
The band is due to start a 20-show tour of the country on March 19, which means they would have to enter mandatory two-week quarantine before March 4.
Weighing in: Jacinda Arden (pictured) has issued a ‘strong warning’ after The Wiggles’ upcoming New Zealand tour debacle
But no placements are available for those dates, leaving the tour in jeopardy, despite the fact they’ve already sold tickets for their New Zealand concerts.
‘For me it’s common sense: Don’t go out and put a poster up and sell tickets before you’ve booked your MIQ (New Zealand’s ‘managed isolation and quarantine’ coronavirus program) place,’ the New Zealand prime minister said on Friday, as reported by Stuff.
Ardern said she would leave it up to the discretion of New Zealand’s immigration officials to decide whether the group will be granted an exemption.
Tour fiasco: On Thursday, it was revealed The Wiggles (pictured) had sold tickets for their upcoming New Zealand tour without first securing placements in hotel quarantine
But she warned that if the tour fell through, ticket holders would need to be compensated.
‘A number of families… through no fault of their own have purchased tickets [and] we now need to find a practical solution,’ she added.
‘A strong warning to promoters here: Do not promote an event until you have everything in place, and that includes booking your quarantine places.’
‘For me it’s common sense: Don’t go out and put a poster up and sell tickets before you’ve booked your MIQ (New Zealand’s ‘managed isolation and quarantine’ coronavirus program) place,’ said the New Zealand prime minister
According to New Zealand politician Simon Bridges, ‘visa delays’ meant the performers weren’t able to secure spots in MIQ.
Bridges, who has three children, revealed on Wednesday he’d written a letter to the government begging them to make room for The Wiggles in MIQ.
If they aren’t approved for quarantine, they will have no choice but to cancel their tour.
Issues: According to New Zealand politician Simon Bridges (pictured), ‘visa delays’ meant the performers weren’t able to secure spots in MIQ
Making it work: Bridges, who has three children, revealed on Wednesday he’d written a letter to the government begging them to make room for The Wiggles in MIQ
‘I’ve just drafted a letter to the powers that be asking that they do what they can so The Wiggles can do their 25 scheduled shows across New Zealand in March and April,’ he tweeted.
‘Over 40,000 tickets have already been sold,’ he continued, before explaining that his three-year-old is ‘obsessed’ with the group.
In a final tweet, Bridges added: ‘I suspect any MP with kids under a certain age will have the same conflict.’
Up in the air: Ardern said she would leave it up to the discretion of New Zealand’s immigration officials to decide whether the group will be granted an exemption