Covid 19 coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern sends Trump’s best wishes to New Zealand

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has conveyed “New Zealand’s best wishes” to Covid-19 infected US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania.

“We have now seen several world leaders who are being affected by Covid-19 and I know that I am with others in wishing them all the best,” he told reporters this afternoon.

“This is obviously a virus that has had a devastating impact.”

She has asked her officials at the New Zealand Embassy in the United States to deliver a message, wishing the President a speedy recovery on behalf of New Zealand.

When British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had Covid-19, Ardern texted him wishing him well.

When asked if he had done the same for Trump, he said no, as he does not have his personal phone number.

“Instead, we have used our official channels to get that message across.”

She plans to convey that sentiment in person, when she has the opportunity to do so.

Ardern said New Zealand would wish anyone experiencing Covid-19 a speedy recovery, “and our best wishes.”

He said it was too early to say what the implication of Trump’s diagnosis was for New Zealand.

“We have not yet seen in the administration the likely effect they think it will have on the election campaign.”

He noted that there has never been a time in the history of the United States in which the date of the elections has been changed.

“At this point, I’d say it would all be very speculative, we just haven’t had anything official from the White House in that regard.”