Arnold Schwarzenegger is just the latest celebrity to encourage his social media followers to “stay at home as much as possible” posting a Covid-19 public service announcement video while casually feeding his miniature pony and donkey.
The 72-year-old actor and former governor of California urged fans to “listen to experts” and “ignore the morons”, asking his Twitter followers to consider people who are at high risk from the effects of the virus such as older people and those who have weaker immune systems.
In a video which shows the former bodybuilder in his California home, Arnold is seen feeding carrots to his miniature pony Whiskey and donkey Lulu while explaining restaurants, “public gatherings” and “gymnasiums are out the window”, with him opting to self-isolate at home.
“See the important thing is that you stay at home, because there’s a curfew now,” Arnold told his followers.
“No one is allowed out. Especially someone who is, like 72 years old. After you are 65, you are not allowed out of the house anymore in California. So we stay at home and we eat here.
“We just eat with Whiskey and with Lulu and we have a good time, we get entertained – look at the beautiful smile,” he said referring to Lulu.
“We stay at home,” he added with a thumbs up.
WATCH: Arnold Schwarzenegger issues a Covid-19 PSA with his miniature pony and donkey. Story continues below…
Arnold follows a long list of celebrities who are imploring their fans to practice social distancing.
Popstar Ariana Grande posted a message to “selfish” fans who continued to take the situation lightly.
“I keep hearing from a surprising amount of people statements like ‘this isn’t a big deal’ / ‘we’ll be fine’… ‘we still have to go about our lives’ and it’s really blowing my mind,” the 26-year-old singer posted as part of a text image on Twitter.
“I understand if that is how you felt weeks ago, but please read about what’s going on. Please don’t turn a blind eye. It is incredibly dangerous and selfish to take this situation that lightly.
“The ‘we will be fine because we’re young’ mindset is putting people who aren’t young and/or healthy in a lot of danger. You sound stupid and privileged and you need to care more about others. Like now.”
Meanwhile, pop star Lady Gaga is taking a similar approach as Arnold and is choosing to self-isolate with her dogs.
“I wish I could see my parents and grandmas right now but it’s much safer to not so I don’t get them sick in case I have it,” she posted to Instagram alongside a photo of her and her four dogs.
“I’m hanging at home with my dogs. I love you world, we’ll all get through this.”
Last week Hollywood actor Tom Hanks confirmed he and his wife Rita Wilson had tested positive for Covid-19 while in Australia. British actor Idris Elba has also just confirmed a positive test sharing on Twitter that he felt OK and so far has no symptoms.
He explained he decided to have a test after he came into contact with someone who had later tested positive for the virus.
“I quarantined myself and got a test immediately,” he said, while urging followers to “really think about social distancing and washing your hands.”
“Beyond that, there are people out there who aren’t showing symptoms, and that can easily spread it.”
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, major steps were taken in recent days to help further reduce the transmission of the Covid-19 which last week was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation – a pandemic is an outbreak of a highly infectious disease that spreads across a number of continents or worldwide.
New Zealand’s border restrictions now require anyone entering the country to self-isolate for 14 days, unless you are returning from a Pacific Island and non-essential travel overseas is discouraged.
Visitors to the country found to not be following the self-isolation rule will face deportation, while Kiwis refusing to self-isolate could be placed in a medical facility and have a police officer placed outside their door.
Self-isolation means avoiding situations where you may come in close contact with others such as social gatherings, work, public transport, schools, faith-based gatherings, sports games and restaurants.
Cruise ships have also been banned from docking in New Zealand until the end of June and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.
“Ultimately I know this decision is hugely disappointing,” the Prime Minister has said.
“I know it will have an impact on a number of communities … but we are making this decision in the best interest of New Zealanders.”
She adds that social distancing should be seen as the “new normal”.
“If you’re close enough to for someone to spit on you when you talk, you’re too close,” she said.
At the time of writing New Zealand has eight confirmed cases of Covid-19 however there are still several additional cases which are under investigation, while hundreds of tests have come back negative.
