In New Zealand, people who test positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, are routinely required to isolate in hotels run by the military.
He appeared before a court virtually and was charged with breaching COVID-19 legislation. He was granted bail and sent back to the managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility.
The home of the man was surrounded by police officers before they took him into custody in Ōtāhuhu, a suburb of Auckland.
“Police are liaising with the Ministry of Health on this matter to understand this person’s movements since he left the MIQ facility and being located in Ōtāhuhu,” Superintendent Steve Kehoe said.
“All police staff who have responded to this incident have been following all health guidelines, in accordance with police COVID-19 procedures,” he added.
Speaking to reporters about the Thursday night incident, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said it had not been confirmed exactly how the man escaped the facility, although closed-circuit cameras showed a man hiding in a bush when a security guard walked past.
Under a new CCP virus law passed last year, the man could face a fine or up to six months in jail if found guilty of failing to comply with a health order.
Auckland is in a level four lockdown, the highest level of lockdown in the country. Under level four, everyone is required to stay at home and are only allowed to make physical contact with those in their household bubble. Businesses and schools will be closed and only essential services will be operational.
