New Zealand has called off a national remembrance service marking the one-year anniversary of the attack on Christchurch mosques, due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
The event, which was to be held in Christchurch on Sunday, was expected to attract a large crowd, with many traveling from around New Zealand and from overseas.
The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said it was a pragmatic decision.
“We’re very saddened to cancel, but in remembering such a terrible tragedy, we shouldn’t create the risk of further harm being done,” Ardern said in a statement on Saturday.
On Friday Ardern attended a special joint prayer with members of both mosques that were attackedand said Sunday’s event could take place as New Zealand was yet to record a community transmission of Covid-19.
Some had questioned this decision given Ardern and other officials had chosen to cancel a festival in Auckland celebrating Pacific culture due to fears over coronavirus.
“The advice we received for this event, is ... if there was a case it could be difficult to trace those who had come into contact with that person, so we are taking a cautious approach.
“March 15 now becomes an opportunity for every New Zealander to reflect in their own way on the events of a year ago,” she said.
Fifty-one people died in two Christchurch mosques last year when a gunman opened fire on worshippers.
The man accused of the attacks, 29-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant, is due to stand trial in June on charges of terrorism, murder and attempted murder.
New Zealand has six cases of coronavirus.
