New Zealand PM Ardern Deems Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy 'Essential Workers'

New Zealand’s children breathed a sigh of relief April 6 when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern classified the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy as ‘essential workers’ who will be exempt from stay-at-home orders during the country’s COVID-19 lockdown.

Speaking during a government press conference, Ardern responded to a question from a reporter that children had raised concerns about visits from the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy being cut off during coronavirus restrictions.

“You’ll be pleased to know that we consider both the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers," Ardern said.

She also warned that the Easter Bunny might not be able to visit every household in New Zealand during Easter.

“As you can imagine at this time they’re going to be potentially quite busy at home with their own bunnies and so I say to the children of New Zealand: If the Easter Bunny doesn’t make it to your household, we have to understand it’s a bit difficult at the moment for the bunny to get everywhere,” Ardern said.

As of April 6, New Zealand reported 1,106 positive cases of COVID-19. Credit: Jacinta Ardern via Storyful