Covid 19 coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern reassures health workers worried about protective gear

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reassures health workers across the country that they will always have access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Photo / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is reassuring health workers across the country that they will always have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks.

The supply of masks is not a problem, Ardern said, but there are some issues with the distribution across the country.

Speaking to the Nation, she said the Government has moved to "tighten that up".

This comes as some front line healthcare workers have threatened to stop working, fearing a lack of equipment will expose them to Covid-19.

Ardern addressed these concerns this morning, saying there is no reason that this should be the case.

"We have the stock," she said of face masks.

"We have good supply, so we do want to tighten up that distribution network."

In fact, just yesterday an additional four million masks were distributed to District Health Boards (DHBs) across the country.

Ardern said the Government has 18 million masks in its pandemic stockpile and a factory in Whanganui can produce up to 80,000 masks a day.

Last night, Ardern shared a video on Instagram of this factory producing masks.

"I'll admit, I have watched this video more than once," she said in the caption.

View this post on Instagram

I’ll admit, I have watched this video more than once. This is a factory in Whanganui churning out face masks to help keep our essential service workers safe. They can produce at least 80,000 masks a day (including those our frontline health workers need) and with new machinery due in coming weeks and months they will be able to double production. Add to that the 18million masks we already have in our national reserves and we’re well stocked. The Ministry of Health is working to get those distributed as we speak (more than 600,000 went out to DHBs yesterday). In the meantime, enjoy watching them roll off the line right here in NZ.

A post shared by Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) on Mar 26, 2020 at 9:46pm PDT

Ardern told the Nation: "I am again reiterating to those who are working on this operational side, we have got to make sure that that distribution line continues.

"We've got the numbers – we just need to get it out to the front line."

Meanwhile, Ardern is urging New Zealanders against online shopping.

"For every purchase, you make online, there is an entire workforce that has to service that.
"That's people who have to come into a warehouse, process your order and deliver your order."

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It's not just about the people who are staying at home, she said.

"It's about the people who are then brought into work – we need to reduce down everyone's contact with each other."

• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website