COVID-19 escapee made 22-minute phone call outside store

By MiNDFOOD

COVID-19 escapee made 22-minute phone call outside store

A man who tested positive for COVID-19 left his Auckland managed isolation to go to a nearby supermarket, Health Minister Chris Hipkins announced Wednesday, 8 July.

The latest on the COVID-19 escapee:

  • According to CCTV footage, the man spent 14 minutes in the health/beauty aisle of the supermarket where we also took selfies.
  • The man will face either a 6-month imprisonment or a $4000 fine under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act.
  • In addition to his 20-minute supermarket visit, the man stood outside a store to use free Wi-Fi and make a 22-minute long phone call.

The man in his 30s arrived in New Zealand on 3 July from India.

At around 6:50pm on Tuesday night, the man left his managed isolation facility, the Stamford Plaza in Auckland, and went to the Countdown supermarket on Victoria Street West.

He used the self-checkout at the supermarket and returned to the hotel around 8pm.

Officials are investigating CCTV footage to understand the risk posed to the public. The current assessment of the risk is low, says Hipkins, stating that the man did not come in close contact with anyone else during his leave from the facility.

The man wore a mask, but says it was removed for short periods of time. The supermarket closed today to conduct a thorough clean.

Hipkins said individuals in managed isolation must “play by the rules.”

“These are acts of selfishness and we intend to use the full weight of the law,” he said.

The man escaped through a fence in the smoking area that was being replaced, said the Health Minister.

“My understanding is he left through a smoking area where the fences were being replaced,” Hipkins said.

Hipkins says there was a security guard on duty at the time who saw the man leave, but did not know whether the man was a contractor or not.

“The actions of this man are completely unacceptable,” says Air Commodore Darryn Webb, head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine.

“Returnees are given clear instructions and information about what their responsibilities are. Managed isolation is a critical part in our defence against Covid-19, and it is up to each and every person entering this country to play their part.

“We take any breach of the Covid-19 rules very seriously. Wilfully leaving our facilities will not be tolerated, and the appropriate action will be taken.”

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