THE New Zealand government has decided both the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny are essential workers, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday.

The leader said both creatures are free to deliver their gifts – but admitted it could be a “bit difficult” for the bunny to get everywhere this year.

Ardern told a press conference: “We do consider both the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny to be essential workers, but as you can imagine at this time of course they are going to be potentially quite busy at home with their family as well, and their own bunnies, and so I say to the children of New Zealand – if the Easter Bunny doesn’t make it to your household then we have to understand that it’s a bit difficult at the moment for the bunny to perhaps get everywhere.

“But I have a bit of an idea that maybe in lieu of the bunny being able to make it to your home you can create your own Easter hunt for all the children in your neighbourhoods. So if you’re one of those homes that’s had a teddy in your front window, maybe draw an Easter egg and pop it into your front window and help children in your neighbourhood with their own Easter egg hunt, because the Easter Bunny might not get everywhere this year.”

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon answers young people's coronavirus questions

The move came the same day Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon carried out a Q&A with young people concerned about the coronavirus crisis.

The SNP leader answered questions for the Parent Club, and was even invited for tea and cake with one of the youngesters once the lockdown is over.

Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.