Woman scales fences in Covid escape
AUCKLAND: A woman has been charged after scaling two fences, including one 1.82m high, to escape from a managed isolation facility in Auckland on Saturday night.
The 43yearold woman, who has tested negative for Covid19, was recaptured and now faces a sixmonth jail term or a $4000 fine.
She absconded from the Pullman Hotel on foot shortly before 6.20pm and was located a couple of blocks away at 8pm.
Cabinet Minister Megan Woods, who has ministerial oversight of the quarantine and managed isolation facilities, said the woman had been in a common outside area that was fenced off.
‘‘My understanding is there was some temporary low fencing indicating a closed space with a permanent fence about 1.82m high behind that,’’ Dr Woods said.
There had been no failure of Government procedures, she said.
‘‘We are not setting up patrolled perimeters here . . . This was a hotel. This is a clearly marked area where it’s a given you shouldn’t be leaving.
‘‘We’re not putting up unclimbable walls at these hotels. We’re asking those rejoining the team of five million to follow the rules.’’
She said the fact that the woman was captured within two hours of leaving showed the proper processes were in place.
‘‘She didn’t simply wander out the door . . . It is not easy to leave these facilities. Walls have to be climbed.’’
The woman remains in police custody while it is determined how she will be managed.
The five police officers who came into contact with the woman while capturing her will now be tested for Covid19 and will also have to selfisolate.
The Government’s head of managed isolation, Air Commodore Darryn Webb, praised the ‘‘excellent work by police staff who located the woman as quickly as possible’’.
Air Com Webb said the woman was receiving appropriate care while in custody and would be assessed by a clinician.
‘‘The woman, who was travelling on her own, arrived in New Zealand from Brisbane, Australia, on 27 June,’’ Air Com Webb said.
‘‘She had a Covid19 test on 30 June which returned a negative result.
‘‘We recognise that managed isolation can be stressful for people who come to it with a variety of circumstances. However, wilfully leaving our facilities cannot and will not be tolerated, and the appropriate action will be taken.’’
Every person who arrives in New Zealand is placed in quarantine or managed isolation for a minimum period of 14 days, with testing on day three and on day 12. They must test negative for Covid19 before they can go into the community.
There were three new cases of Covid19 in the country yesterday.
There was no media conference for yesterday’s update.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the total number of confirmed case was 1183, with just 21 active cases.
One person remains in Auckland City Hospital in stable condition.
One significant cluster remains open and is due to close today.
The three people arrived in Christchurch on a flight from Delhi on Tuesday. They stopped over in Singapore but did not leave their flight during this time.
All are now in quarantine at the Chateau on the Park facility.
The first case is a woman in her 30s. The second case is her husband, a man in his 30s. Their close contacts include two daughters who were due to be tested yesterday and who have also been moved into the quarantine area.
The third case is a man in his 70s, travelling with his wife who is regarded as a close contact.
Saturday’s lab testing figures have been delayed by an IT update and will be provided as soon as possible, the ministry says.
Meanwhile on Saturday, it was announced that an investigation has been ordered into a massive privacy breach, which involved a leak revealing the personal details and identities of New Zealand’s then 18 active Covid19 cases.
State Services Minister Chris Hipkins said the investigation could result in criminal charges, depending on the outcome. — The New Zealand Herald/RNZ