Coronavirus: health boss apologises to Jacinda Ardern for bike ride

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has accepted an apology from her health minister for mountain biking.

A bike rider in Auckland’s Totara Park on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has accepted an apology from her health minister for mountain bik­ing during the coronavirus ­outbreak. David Clark’s van was spotted in a car park used by mountain bikers near his Dunedin home on Thursday.

Health Minister Dr Clark may not have broken the rules of New ­Zealand’s severe lockdown — Kiwis are allowed to drive their cars short distances and are encouraged to take part in exercising during their self-isolation.

However, his choice of mountain biking caused alarm as an ­accident would have required care by emergency health workers during the crisis.

The Dunedin North MP told news outlet Stuff “this was my only chance to get out for some exercise in daylight hours (and) the track itself­ is not challenging”.

“I know that now is not the time for people to be engaging in higher-risk exercise activities,’’ he said.

“I don’t want to give anyone the perception that I take these matters­ lightly. This is a reminder to me to think carefully about how best to fit some exercise into my new-normal routine.”

While Dr Clark didn’t apologise to the public, he did apologise to his boss. “I spoke to the Health Minister last night, who apolo­gised to me,” Ms Ardern said.

“It’s my expectation that ministers set the standards we are asking New Zealanders to follow. People can go outside to get fresh air and drive short distances if needed, but we’ve asked people to avoid ­activities where there is a higher risk of injury; the minister should have followed that guidance.”

Opposition Leader Simon Brid­ges fell short of asking for Dr Clark’s resignation but urged him to get his mind on the job.

“The bigger sin or crime to me, frankly, is him not being at his desk in Wellington as the Health ­Minister during the biggest health crisis in our lifetimes,” he said.

Unlike in Australia, where offic­ials in each state have issued strict guidance that spells out their list of permitted activities, in New Zealand the government and police haven’t been so explicit.

Ms Ardern has instead simply urged people to maintain strict social­ distancing, to “stay local” and use their common sense.

On Friday, health officials announc­ed a fresh 71 cases, keeping New Zealand on track to reach 1000 cases by Sunday. One New Zealander has died in the pandemic.

AAP