Quarantine escapees condemned

Five people, including one still at large, who escaped from managed isolation in Hamilton last night have been condemned by Megan Woods.

Woods, the minister in charge of managed isolation and quarantine facilities, said the absconders were putting New Zealanders at risk, calling them “incredibly irresponsible”.

The group, an adult and four children who escaped from the Distinction Hotel, would face consequences, Woods said.

One of the group, a 17-year-old boy, is yet to be found and is the subject of a police search, Air Commodore Darryn Webb said last night.

“A person was seen exiting over the facility fence at 7pm by the onsite police officer, who immediately took action to locate and apprehend them. Four people were found and detained by 7.50pm and have been returned to the facility.

“One 17-year-old male is still outside of the facility at this time, and police are continuing to look for this individual.”

All five people returned negative results on their day three test results. The four who have been returned to the Distinction Hotel are under police supervision.

A routine police patrol as part of security arrangements in place at all facilities meant the apprehensions happened quickly, Woods said.

“The speedy apprehension of four of the absconders highlights the importance of the police presence at our facilities.

“This is incredibly irresponsible behaviour by this group.

“Our only chance of stopping community transmission of Covid-19 is by containing all potential cases at the border, and we are doing this successfully through our managed isolation system.

“People absconding from facilities before they have completed their isolation and returned negative day 12 tests are endangering the health of other New Zealanders and our Covidfree status in the community.

“Everyone has to play by the rules. These people knew the rules and chose to break them and will now face the consequences.”