New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed Sunday that she has called off her own wedding after tightening COVID-19 restrictions in the country.

“My wedding will not be going ahead. I just joined many other New Zealanders who have had an experience like that as a result of the pandemic and to anyone who is caught up in that scenario I am so sorry,” she said.

A limit of 100 fully vaccinated people at events has been put in place after a recent outbreak of the omicron variant of coronavirus, reported news agency AFP. 

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The country recorded the emergence of nine cases of the highly transmissible variant who had travelled to attend weddings. It is also believed that they could have caught the infection from a flight attendant on one of the aeroplanes. 

The limitations are part of the ‘red sitting’ restrictions to be implemented in New Zealand from midnight Sunday.

While Arden and her partner Clarke Gayford’s wedding date had never been announced, it was speculated to take place in the coming weeks. 

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“Such is life. I’m no different to thousands of other New Zealanders who have had much more devastating impacts felt by the pandemic, the most gutting of which is the inability to be with a loved one sometimes when they are gravely ill. That will far outstrip any sadness I experience,” she said, reported AFP. 

Nearly 93% of New Zealanders aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated and 52% have received a booster dose. The country has just begun vaccinating children aged between 5 and 11.

(With agency inputs)