Kiwi social media influencer is slammed for spreading misinformation about NZ government's COVID-19 'lies' and insisting face masks 'don't work'
- Zoe Fuimaono told Instagram followers not to get tested if they didn't want to
- She also questioned effectiveness of wearing masks to protect from COVID-19
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned people to be wary of misinformation
- Other social media influencers slammed Mrs Fuimaono for her comments
A social media influencer has landed herself in hot water after spreading misinformation about coronavirus.
New Zealand was plunged back into lockdown on Wednesday after four people in Auckland were diagnosed with COVID-19 following 102 days without a locally transmitted case of the virus.
Zoe Fuimaono, 31, told her 63,500 followers not to get tested if they didn't want to.
She also slammed government 'lies' and questioned the effectiveness of wearing a face mask.
'Message your friends who are nurses and doctors and ask them what they think about the community wearing them,' Mrs Fuimaono said.
'They will tell you they won't work because we won't use them properly because we aren't medical professionals.
Mrs Fuimaono (pictured) has been accused of spreading misinformation about coronavirus
Zoe Fuimaono (pictured), 31, took to Instagram following the announcement and told her followers not to get tested if they didn't want to following New Zealand's COVID-19 outbreak
Health authorities are scrambling to contain the growing cluster of cases linked to the Auckland family, who tested positive on Tuesday.
The city went into Stage 3 lockdown on Wednesday while the rest of the country is now in Stage 2 lockdown.
On Thursday, 14 new cases of coronavirus were reported with 13 cases of community transmission.
New Zealand's Ministry Of Health recommends wearing face masks and has issued an instructional guide on how to wear or make your own mask.
Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms - no matter how mild - are urged to get tested.
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Ms Fuimaono was slammed for her comments online and during a media briefing on Thursday, Ms Ardern warned people against the spread of misinformation online.
'It's not new. Some of those conspiracy theories around COVID-19 'not being real' have existed from the very beginning of COVID-19's emergence globally,' she told reporters.
'Some of them are perpetuated by offshore sources.
'I've seen reports of people from overseas who have viewed COVID-19 as being fake, who have lost their lives to it. That's the evidence - the global situation is the evidence. This is very, very real, we need to take it seriously.'
Mrs Fuimaono (pictured with her husband) railed against Government 'lies' and questioned the effectiveness of wearing a face mask
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Auckland would enter Stage 3 lockdown on Wednesday. Pictured: People lining up outside a supermarket on August 12
Ms Fuimaono was slammed for her comments and Jacinda Ardern warned about misinformation online
She urged anyone who may be wary of politicians to listen to medical experts they get their advice from instead
Makaia Carr, another New Zealand influencer, said Mrs Fuimaono was stoking fears about the virus.
'Spreading misinformation and outlandish conspiracy theories that create even more fear and doubt in many of our most vulnerable people, on top of what everyone is already experiencing is seriously harmful to our country and is putting all our friends and whānau at risk,' she wrote on social media.
'So again to all these influencers and people with large impressionable followings on social media stop sharing all your conspiracies, stop implying people should not listen to government during this time, stop being selfish and putting our vulnerable communities at even higher risk.
Mrs Fuimaono once again took to social media to defend her view on COVID-19
'Your behaviour is manipulative, dangerous, irresponsible and outright unacceptable for being in a position of influence - you are abusing your power!'
Mrs Fuimaono took to social media to defend her view on COVID-19.
'Sharing my concerns about the current lockdown are my opinions as this is my platform I choose to exercise my right to freedom of speech,' the mother-of-four wrote.
'I stand by my comments as I am gravely concerned that the rights and freedom of all people in this country are being misconstrued.'
She said that she would continue to stand up for her beliefs on the issue.
'I am not a medical professional and have never claimed to be one, nor have I given medical advice,' she said.
'I did not state that masks do not work, I stated that they will not work if they are used incorrectly. There are no laws stating that it is mandatory for me to wear a mask.'
A decision on whether New Zealand's lockdown will continue will be announced to the public at 5.30pm local time on Friday.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Zoe Fuimaono and the Ministry of Health for comment.
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