This article by RNZ.co.nz is republished with permission
Health Minister Chris Hipkins says the country’s latest case of Covid-19 will be charged for visiting an Auckland supermarket last night.
Watch live here:
Hipkins said the 32-year-old man left his managed isolation last night to go to the Countdown supermarket on Victoria Street in central Auckland.
The man was outside the facility for 70 minutes.
Hipkins said after CCTV footage was viewed and the man was interviewed, the current assessment of the risk to the public was low.
“The person wore a mask although indicated that was removed for short periods of time.”
The Countdown remained closed today in order to be cleaned thoroughly.
Hipkins said all Covid-19 facilities were on standby and people needing a test would have no problems getting one.
Individuals within these facilities need to “play by the rules”, he said.
“These are acts of selfishness and we intend to use the full weight of the law.
“My understanding is he left through a smoking area where the fences were being replaced,” Hipkins said.
Air Commodore Darryn Webb, head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine, said the smoking policy – as well as the security policy – will be looked at.
He said there was a robust system in place “however, as we’ve seen, we can always do better”.
Webb said there was a guard outside Stamford Plaza when the man left.
The security guard watched the man leave but wasn’t sure if the man leaving was a contractor, Webb said.
“They don’t have the powers of police to apprehend…clearly it’s about communicating…if it’s logical that they take chase then that’s what they do.
“It certainly looks like it was a spur of the moment idea,” Webb said.
Countdown supermarket on Victoria Street in central Auckland.Ā Photo:Ā Google Maps
In a full statement, Webb confirmed that the man will be charged.
“Around 6.50pm the man escaped through a fenced area at the Stamford Plaza when he was out smoking, as a section of external fencing was being replaced. Security attempted to follow the man but were unsuccessful in locating him.
“Police were called immediately, and enquiries were underway to locate the man including reviewing CCTV footage and undertaking substantial area searches, before he returned to the facility where he was then interviewed by police.”
The man walked to the supermarket on foot and purchased items at a self-service checkout, before returning to the hotel about 8pm.
“Once the man’s movements were established, police visited the supermarket and ensured the self-service checkout and the areas entered by the man were cleaned.
“CCTV footage from within the supermarket has confirmed there was no close contact between the man and any staff or customers during his time there.”
Police are looking at other CCTV footage to figure the man’s movements in the Auckland CBD.
“The actions of this man are completely unacceptable. 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.”
The fencing in place at all managed isolation facilities is being replaced with 6 feet-high fences.
“Our security framework is currently being assessed to determine what improvements may need to be made, and security requirements are being re-emphasised at all facilities.
“We are also reviewing the arrangements in place for smokers, and security in smoking areas.”
The man, who is a New Zealand citizen and arrived from New Delhi on 3 July, will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date charged under the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act.
Yesterday, 2131 tests were completed.
See all RNZ coverage of Covid-19
TwoĀ new cases were confirmed yesterday, both are from the same family and had arrived from Afghanistan.
Hipkins yesterday said the levels of testing for Covid-19 were now not meeting the government’s expectations with 1641 tests completed on Monday.
“We don’t need to be testing at our peak level … but we do want to maintain a good level of surveillance across the country,” he said.
However he said he expected the level of surveillance testing could be ramped up to the recommended level of 4000 tests within days.
Read more about the Covid-19 coronavirus:
- See all RNZ Covid-19 news
- Covid-19 symptoms: What they are and how they make you feel
- Touching your Face: Why do we do it and how to stop
- Scientific hand-washing advice to avoid infection
- Your Covid-19 questions answered – from health and employment to managing anxiety
- A timeline: How the coronavirus started, spread and stalled life in New Zealand
- Coronavirus: A glossary of terms
