International

New Zealand labels Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy ‘essential workers’

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed for young residents that both the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy are deemed “essential workers” amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

“You will be pleased to know that we do consider both the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers,” Ardern said at a press briefing Monday. 

However, she did warn that perhaps the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy may be “quite busy at home with their family.” 

“So 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 be everywhere,” she added. 

She encouraged the public to draw Easter eggs to place in their windows to help children with their own Easter egg hunts. 

New Zealand’s health ministry reported 39 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 28 new probable cases, bringing the total in the country to 1,106 including confirmed and probable cases.

New Zealand did not report any additional deaths on Monday.