Coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern's 'spaced out' press conference comments go viral

New Zealand is high on success having successfully flattened the COVID-19 curve and an imminent move to alert level 2 on Thursday.

But when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told people they need to remain "spaced out", the first thing Kiwis did, being Kiwis, was jump on Twitter and make light of the unintentional gaffe.

When Ardern was explaining that parties and social events need to be limited to 10 people under alert level 2, she said people need to be "spaced out" and seated.

"People will be at the movies - but they'll be spaced out," she told reporters.

"You'll see bars and restaurants open - but they'll be required to have people seated, and spaced out."

The comments have since gone viral on Twitter. One user said, "Level 2 sounds like a stoner's dream!" while many others joined in for a giggle.

"I still think the announcement should have been at 4:20pm," one person said.

"Greens have got what they wanted. Jacinda has insisted we're all 'spaced out'," another wrote.

"Stay Home, Be Kind, Get Spaced Out," said another.

The irony, of course, is that New Zealand will decide whether or not to legalise recreational cannabis in a referendum in September's general election.