After bringing Omicron to New Zealand, a British DJ caused fury. He went out partying and tested positive.
Dimension, real-name Robert Etheridge arrived from the UK via Doha, on December 16. He returned three negative test results before he was positive for a day nine blood test.
He was to stay seven days in a quarantine unit in Auckland, then spend three days alone.
But he broke the quarantine rules by ‘self-releasing’ before the results of that day nine test came back, hitting the town in Auckland where he partied at a nightclub on Boxing Day until the early hours of Monday.
Also, Mr Etheridge posted photos of himself on Waiheke Island on Christmas Day. It is a short ferry ride away from Auckland.
These photos were later deleted, and replaced with a statement claiming that he understood that I had finished my quarantine and that he received his negative test only two days after thinking it was over.
New Zealanders are furious at Etheridge for carrying the new, highly infectious variant. Omicron cases have been reported in quarantine but the infected man who entered the community is Mr Etheridge.
Dimension, also known as Robert Etheridge posted photos of himself on Waiheke Island, which is a short ferry ride away from Auckland.
Christmas Day at Dimension: A beach one hour away from Auckland
Etheridge uploaded a statement to Instagram, claiming that his isolation was over and that his positive test result on Day 12 had been confirmed. He should have not entered the community after his test was back, according to rules.
New Zealanders furious about Mr Etheridge have taken to their streets, blaming him for the introduction of this highly infectious variant. Omicron cases have been reported in quarantine but the infected man who entered the community is Mr Etheridge.
‘Wow. What give you the right? To enter another country, and to blatantly disregard their isolation rules. Anneke Turner posted the above statement on his Instagram.
Ayla was another anonymous user who said, “What made you think you were above all the rules?” You realize that you have put your career at risk, as well as the livelihoods and lives of others.
Lisa Whyte was curious: “Why aren’t you deleting NZ posts?” Do you intend to make an apology for your actions and bring omicrons here?
Travellers to New Zealand at the time of their arrival were required to spend seven days in MIQ (managed isolation and quarantine) before being allowed to return home.
New Zealand Ministry of Health stated that he should not have been allowed to leave the Auckland quarantine, where he was being held.
In an Instagram statement, Mr Etheridge said: “I am devastated to announce that I have tested positive for Omicron after 10 days in isolation while on vacation in New Zealand.” Conforming to Government guidelines, I was placed in monitored isolation for 7 days and then returned home for 3 days.
‘During this period, I was given three negative blood tests but showed no symptoms. Following my 10-day isolation and the acceptance that my quarantine was over, I entered my community.
“To my great surprise, and with immense concern, I was surprised to receive a positive result on the twelveth day, just two days after my isolation.
It was just one hour after Omicrons from the border were reported by the Ministry of Health.
Ministry officials stated that the investigation involved five different locations, including a nightclub or bar.
Etheridge arrived from Doha via New Zealand and was scheduled to headline the South Island’s music festival.
According to the report, Mr Etheridge was infected and did not wait until he received a negative result from a test before self-releasing.
Health ministry stated that those at Impala bar between 11 pm on Boxing Day and 3 am on Monday were close friends. They should stay isolated for seven to ten days.
In addition it said that those who were at the Commercial Bay precinct on Boxing Day from 2.30-4.30pm and 6.30 to 8pm, Sunny Town on Lorne St on Boxing Day from 2.30-4.30pm, Partridge Jewellers on Boxing Day from 3.30-6pm, Ahi Restaurant in Commercial Bay on Boxing Day from 6.30–8pm, or Soul Bar from 9.30pm on Boxing Day to 3am on Monday are ‘casual contacts.’
If symptoms persist, these people need to be vigilant and seek immediate medical attention.
Etheridge was scheduled to headline the Rhythm and Alps South Island festival, but he resigned alongside Friction.
Northbound travelers are checked by police at Uretiti (SH1) on December 15, 2021, Auckland, New Zealand.
Checkpoint for vaccine passports in Auckland, December 15.
Friction took to Twitter earlier Wednesday to declare that he wouldn’t be in close contact with the ‘potential Covid’ case.
Friction played in Christchurch’s Hidden Lakes Festival on Tuesday.
In an Instagram post, Friction (real name Ed Keeley) stated that he was headed into isolation.
He stated that safety for everyone attending the event and New Zealand as a whole is his most important priority.
“I’m devastated but will promise to see you all soon.”
New Zealand does not yet have any Omicron cases within its communities, but it has already recorded 17 Omicron cases at its border quarantine facility.