Culture

New Zealand’s COVID Response Minister Told Everyone To Spread Their Legs, So…Uh

That's certainly one way to deal with the crisis.

by Merryana Salem  24 August 2021
new zealand covid minister photo

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Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response Minister accidentally told people to spread their legs during yesterday’s COVID-19 press conference. 

Aotearoa’s daily COVID update occurs at 1pm every day and Minister Chris Hipkins, who was supposed to be informing people on staying safe outside while exercising, told everyone on national television to spread their legs. 

“It is a challenge for people in high-density areas,” said Hipkins. “To get outside and spread their legs when they are surrounded by other people.”

I mean, he’s not… wrong. That certainly is a challenge in today’s social climate. Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield was at the podium with Hipkins when he made this most Freudian of slips. Dr Bloomfield’s eyebrows raised so high in response, I had a genuine fear they were going to disappear into his hairline. 

Hipkins stutters, realising what he’s just said and it takes a few seconds for him to recover. Taking it in his stride, Hipkins said the media “would all have fun with him later” before stepping away from the podium.

And have fun, we have! Twitter and TikTok are both trending with the hashtag #spreadyourlegs, with many Kiwis posting pictures and videos of them, well, following their government’s directive. #SpreadYourLegs is still the top trending hashtag in New Zealand today. 

Across Aotearoa, kiwis went outside, filming and snapping themselves spreading their legs and performing their civic duty under lockdown. One user even made a very official-looking New Zealand government poster featuring the slogan ‘Spread your legs, not the virus.’ 

Of course many also remarked on Jacinda Ardern’s absence during the daily update as the reason for this naughty snafu. “When Jacinda takes a break and leaves it to the boys and they go #SpreadYourLegs,” one user tweeted. 

Of all the health warning slogans prompted by governments across the world, I have to say, “spread your legs, not the virus” is a sound piece of advice if you ask me.