4 Jan 2022

British DJ unlikely to be deported by immigration for breaching Covid-19 rules

3:35 pm on 4 January 2022

Immigration New Zealand has no plans to deport the British DJ who sparked a community scare over the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

DJ Dimension, Robert Etheridge tested positive for the Omicron variant while in the community.

DJ Dimension, Robert Etheridge tested positive for the Omicron variant while in the community. Photo: Instagram

Robert Etheridge, who performs under the alias Dimension, left self-isolation before getting the result of his final Covid-19 test, which came back positive.

He had visited a number of Auckland CBD locations on 26 and 27 December, including the Impala nightclub on Shortland Street, the Sunny Town restaurant, Partridge Jewellers, Ahi Restaurant and Soul Bar.

The Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday it would not be pressing charges.

ACT leader David Seymour said Etheridge should be prosecuted and be deported. He said people may be less inclined to follow public health measures if they saw no consequence for breaking the rules.

An Immigration spokesperson was unable to say whether Etheridge was still in the country.

According to the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act 2020, anyone who intentionally fails to comply with a Covid-19 order, is liable on conviction, for imprisonment up to six months or a fine of up to $12,000.

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