Important news: the Easter Bunny has been confirmed as an essential worker

With Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the New Zealand prime minister confirming the importance of this seasonal visitor, children can rest assured of receiving their Easter treats during the pandemic

Although children may have been concerned that the Easter Bunny would not be allowed to travel around the country delivering eggs, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed that the bunny is an essential worker.

Health minister Simon Harris addressed the concerns of children, tweeting that although the bunny would be allowed to go about his normal work, he had been reminded of the importance of washing his hands and keeping a safe distance from everyone.

Important news for children: Many of you contacted me & asked me to if the Easter Bunny was allowed work this weekend. I have checked with our top doctors & the good news is he can. But he has been contacted to remind him about washing his hands regularly & keeping his distance

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 7, 2020

Leo Varadkar released a special ‘eggs-emption’, declaring the Easter Bunny’s permission to continue his work.

The Taoiseach was not alone in his announcement, as New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern also confirmed that the Easter Bunny was an essential worker, as well as the tooth fairy. She did, however, note that “it might be difficult for the bunny to get everywhere” in the current circumstances, especially as it might be very busy at home with its own family.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern confirms Easter Bunny is classed as an “essential worker” but it might be “difficult for the bunny to get everywhere” in current circumstances.

Tooth fairy also confirmed as an essential worker. pic.twitter.com/Jv6o4t2tkG

— Daniel Rosney (@DanielRosney) April 6, 2020

She also suggested that just in case the Easter Bunny might not get to every child’s house, that children could make their own Easter egg hunt for other children in their neighbourhood, by drawing an Easter egg and placing it in a window.

These touching ‘eggs-emptions’ highlight how hard this pandemic is for children. We know that they thrive on stability and normality, which is hard to achieve when almost every aspect of our lives has been affected. They can’t go to school, visit their friends, or do many of their favourite activities, and we can’t even tell them when they will be able to again.

Easter is a major holiday, especially for children, and their concerns about whether this too would be affected are telling of their experience at the moment. These reassurances from leaders are a kind gesture, giving children one aspect of their lives that can continue as normal, as well as something to look forward to.

Featured image: Bee Felten-Leidel via Unsplash

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