Coronavirus: police have list of those breaking isolation, will pursue prosecutions

Covid-positive people leaving self-isolation continue to plague the health ministry as it emerged on Tuesday that some are leaving home to take rapid tests before they should.

Police are in possession of a list pertaining to 32 people who broke protocols and were identified by the health ministry’s track and trace team.

As reported by daily Phileleftheros, team noted that during the Christmas holidays up and until January 5 those on the list were out and about – in part – to take rapid tests.

In some cases, the daily reported, isolation dodgers were taking multiple rapid tests a day at various locations or rapid tests every other day. Some even went out to take the tests up to a week before their self-isolation was due to end.

Speaking to the daily, police spokesman Christos Andreou said that the list has been forwarded to police within all the districts and investigations are ongoing to report those named in the list.

“Procedures will begin for the criminal prosecutions of these persons when they are negative for the virus,” Andreou said.

The health ministry’s protocols dictate that those who test positive for the coronavirus are contacted by the track and trace team and are given instructions on where to self-isolate and for how long.

Many people try to avoid having to self-isolate for up to two weeks, potentially leading to a loss of income if they are employed in a job that can’t be done remotely.