New Zealand has called off a national remembrance service to mark Sunday's first anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks over coronavirus concerns, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
"This is 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 Saturday.
The service to mark the March 15 mass shooting, when a self-avowed white supremacist opened fire at two mosques during Friday prayers, killing 51, had been expected to attract several thousand people, with many traveling from overseas.
Ardern said New Zealand needed to take a precautionary approach.
"The advice we received for this event is that based on people traveling from different parts of the country and from overseas, 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," she said.
"March 15 now becomes an opportunity for every New Zealander to reflect in their own way on the events of a year ago."
The mosque attacker Brenton Tarrant, an Australian national, is due to go on trial on June 2 facing terrorism charges plus 51 counts of murder and 40 of attempted murder over the killings.
The unveiling of a remembrance plaque, also planned for Sunday morning at Christchurch's main al-Noor mosque, has been postponed as a precautionary measure.
Mosque spokesman Tony Green said they had taken the advice of health professionals and it was right not to go ahead with the two remembrance services.
New Zealand confirmed its sixth case of COVID-19 on Saturday although there have been no reported cases in Christchurch.
Ardern said that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.
People from small South Pacific island countries, which currently have no reported cases, will be exempted, Ardern said in a news conference.
