A New Zealand police officer is in self-isolation tonight after coming into contact with a person who has since tested positive for COVID-19.
NZ Police said it was a precautionary measure after the officer encountered the infected person during a routine traffic stop at Karapiro on Tuesday morning.
The person is one of the cases from the existing Auckland cluster who had visited Rotorua while infectious.
The officer is self-isolating for 14 days and will be tested throughout that time, NZ Police said.
New Zealand recorded 14 new cases of coronavirus overnight, as the Auckland cluster, now numbering at least 21, continues to grow.
Meanwhile Police in Auckland have been busy with road policing and reassurance checks for the first full day of Alert Level 3 restrictions in Tāmaki Makaurau where their focus has been on engagement, encouragement and education.
At the nine checkpoints across the region tens of thousands of vehicles have been stopped and Police and New Zealand Defence Force staff have engaged with travellers to understand the reason for travel and educate them on the restrictions.
“As at 7am this morning 17,000 vehicles had been stopped at checkpoints, of which 312 vehicles were turned around. Those that were turned around were largely co-operative,” NZ Police said in a statement.
“One motorist who was known to be a disqualified driver, fled a checkpoint.
“For safety reasons, Police decided not to pursue the vehicle but will make enquiries with the registered owner of the vehicle.”
They said some of the checkpoints in Auckland were also being supported by Maori Wardens.
“Where Iwi have expressed an interest, Police are facilitating observation visits to checkpoint sites and providing briefings on how these are managed. There is no legal authority currently, for Police or others to establish COVID-19 related checkpoints under Alert Level 2.”
“Roads continued to be busy around COVID-19 testing stations across the region, but overall it appears everyone in Auckland is heeding the advice to stay home, where possible, and to minimise travel.”
