NZ quarantine hotel staff member caught in ‘inappropriate encounter’ with guest
The woman who took a flight back to New Zealand was supposed to avoid all physical contact with others for 14 days as she went into mandatory quarantine.
The man working at the quarantine hotel was supposed to be the last line of defence.
But the two started passing notes to each other, including one written on the back of a face mask.
Then she ordered a bottle of wine, which he delivered to her room.
When he didn’t return 20 minutes later, a security manager sent to investigate found the pair together in what authorities are describing as an inappropriate encounter, one in which physical distancing wasn’t maintained.
The incident earlier this month, which came to light on Friday, has highlighted a very human weak point in New Zealand’s coronavirus elimination procedures, in a country which has stamped out community spread of the virus.
