A man with COVID-19 has been captured by police after escaping from his quarantine facility in Auckland.
On Thursday afternoon, NZ Police announced officers – in full personal protective equipment – had arrested the absconder at a property 10km south of the facility in the suburb of Otahuhu, reported to be his house.
The man fled his quarantine hotel in the early hours of Thursday morning.
He appeared before the Auckland District Court and was granted bail to return to his quarantine hotel.
“The man has been charged under the Health Order with failing to comply with order (Covid-19),” a police statement read.
The opposition wants answers from Jacinda Ardern’s government over how the man was allowed to leave, and a potential coverup of information.
“Police have confirmed the person escaped at 12.34am, but they were only told at 10.30am the next morning. Why the delay?” opposition COVID-19 spokesman Chris Bishop said.
“(Another) question is why the prime minister did not see fit to inform the public of the escape at today’s press conference.”
“We need an urgent investigation into what has happened here, and the government needs to outline quickly what will be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“The last thing we need is Delta spreading further into the community through poor oversight of security at MIQ.”
AAP
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