Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Police arrest Aucklander who allegedly travelled to Wānaka during lockdown

Details were revealed about how the health system will cope with increased demand as new cases hit 71 on Thursday. Deputy PM Grant Robertson also issued a warning over unlawful gatherings at home. Video / NZ Herald

Police have arrested and charged a man who allegedly travelled from Auckland to Wānaka earlier this week, allegedly breaching Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

A police spokesperson confirmed a 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged with breaching the Covid-19 restrictions after travelling from Auckland to Wānaka.

The Aucklander travelled to Wellington on October 8 before heading to Wānaka on October 12.

Currently Auckland, Northland and Waikato remain in level 3 while the rest of the country is in level 2.

“He has been charged with failing to comply with a Covid-19 order,” a spokesperson said.

The man is due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on October 18.

Otago Lakes Central Police reminded people they need an exemption to travel outside of a level 3 area.

“Police will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who are deliberately breaching lockdown restrictions.”

This arrest following a number of others who breached Covid-19 lockdown restrictions travelling to regions in level 2.

William Willis and lawyer Hannah Rawnsley travelled to Wānaka while Auckland was in lockdown. Photo / NZME

William Willis and lawyer Hannah Rawnsley were recently charged with failing to comply with a Covid-19 health order.

The pair sparked outrage nationwide when it was revealed they crossed a police checkpoint border in Auckland using essential worker exemptions during Alert Level 4 lockdown and drove to Hamilton Airport on September 9.

They then took a commercial flight to Queenstown via Wellington, rented a vehicle and drove to Wānaka.

The pair were confronted by police in Wānaka on September 11, after someone reported their trip a day earlier through the Covid-19 online compliance tool.

For regions in level 3, personal and work travel outside the region is strictly limited, but if a person’s travel is permitted they are allowed to travel in and out of the region.

People aged 12 and over need to get a test before crossing the boundary from Auckland, whether by land or air.