A man has been arrested after police say he entered an Auckland Covid-19 isolation facility to talk to a friend.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Police say just after midday on Friday the man went into a fenced-off area at the hotel and had some contact with an isolated returnee.
Police stationed on the site noticed him but left as they approached him and fled in a vehicle.
After enquiries, officers found him the next morning at an address in Whangārei and arrested.
The 33-year-old has been charged with failing to comply with a Covid-19 order, and is due to appear in Auckland District Court today.
Head of managed isolation and quarantine Air Commodore Darryn Webb said the returnee involved had tested negative on day three, and the arrested man will isolate as a precaution until the day 12 test comes back.
He said health officials determined the contact as low risk but putting others at potential risk was irresponsible and extremely disappointing.
"There is absolutely no room for complacency for those inside or outside of our managed isolation and quarantine facilities while Covid-19 remains contained at our border, and we urge every person in managed isolation to play their part in protecting New Zealand."
Webb said an assessment of the security breach was under way.
In a similar incident last week a woman was charged over entering an isolation facility in Rotorua.
Fire alarm at Wellington isolation hotel
Meanwhile, a managed isolation hotel in Wellington was evacuated when an automated fire alarm went off.
Fire and Emergency says the alarm went off at the Grand Mercure on The Terrace just before 7.30am today.
Shift manager Carlos Dempsey said there was no fire but the hotel was evacuated according to its procedure.
He said the fire crews followed standard operating procedures and would have ensured they wore suitable protective equipment when they attended the callout.
