Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is defending public health officials who allowed the Big Gay Out and Prada Cup to continue yesterday despite knowledge of positive cases.
Thousands attended the Big Gay Out in Auckland's Coyle Park, including Goff, who learned of the cases while on hisway there.
Goff received a phone call from director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield late on Sunday morning and was advised public events should stay open.
"Whenever I see Ashley's name come up on my phone I know that it's not going to be good news," he said.
"They didn't have the full details at that time, I was on my way to the Big Gay Out, I said 'do we need to close those events today?' The advice at that point was not, and continued to be the advice through the afternoon ..."
Aucklanders know what to do to beat COVID-19. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again. Given the risk that the virus poses, a precautionary approach is necessary. pic.twitter.com/Z4F8Dk1aAJ