Statement from Air Commodore Darryn Webb, Head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine — 30 July

Statement from Air Commodore Darryn Webb, Head of Managed Isolation and Quarantine — 30 July

Thanks to the fast actions of police and Defence Force staff, a person has been caught unlawfully leaving a managed isolation facility in Auckland.

About 1pm on 30 July, a 32-year-old left the Crowne Plaza and was caught by police 100 metres away.

Defence Force staff verbally challenged the man as he attempted to follow them out a gate, claiming he was a worker. When asked for identification he allegedly refused, and exited onto Albert St.

Aviation Security Service (Avsec) and police were immediately alerted, and 2 Defence Force staff followed the man down Albert St, maintaining a safe distance while doing so until a police officer arrived. The officer was wearing a mask and gloves.

The man allegedly failed to stop, and was chased for a short distance and apprehended.

The man arrived from Brisbane on 29 July, and has not received his COVID-19 testing yet. His day 3 test is scheduled for 1 August. As the returnee has yet to be tested, the police officer who arrested him is following all necessary precautions.

The man has been summonsed to appear in court at a later date.