WELLINGTON, July 2 (NNN-BERNAMA) – New Zealand Minister for Health, David Clark, announced today, he decided to resign as a minister and leave the cabinet.
The surprise announcement came, amid months of public outcry on Clark’s dereliction of duty during and after the COVID-19 lock-down.
Clark planned to attend a ribbon-cutting event in Palmerston North, for a cancer facility, but made the surprise announcement at a press conference this morning.
The resignation was accepted by Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. He will stay on as a member of parliament and take part in the upcoming election on Sept 19.
Clark was criticised for his poor handling of the managed isolation facilities, where travellers arriving in New Zealand stay for 14 days to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into the country.
Two people with COVID-19 reportedly left the managed isolation centre earlier than expected and without being tested.
He also breached the lock-down rules by taking his family to the beach.
“It’s no secret that health is a challenging portfolio. I have given it my all. But it has become increasingly clear to me that my continuation in the role is detracting from the government’s overall response to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic,” Clark said in his public statement.
