A Cook Islands man has been fined $1000 for breaching Covid-19 rules after he took a flight to Aitutaki almost immediately after he tested positive at the Rarotonga airport.

Peter Albert Pokipoki appeared before Justices of the Peace Tangi Taoro, Georgina Williams and Vania Kenning in the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday for sentencing. He had previously pleaded guilty to breaching the Public Health Act.

According to the summary of facts, on April 22, 2022 about 12.30pm at the Rarotonga Airport testing station, Pokipoki was tested positive for Covid-19.

Pokipoki was unhappy with the result, and was retested, where he collected another positive result. As a result, the authorities told Pokipoki to go home and isolate, and wait for the Puna to contact him.

When the Puna finally got in touch with Pokipoki, he told the Puna he was in Aitutaki—a breach of the Public Health Act.

“While you apologised for your alleged mistake, a mistake is usually something you did not intend to do that produces results you do not want,” the JPs said.

“In this case, you blatantly disregarded the safety of the public and chose to travel to Aitutaki whilst infected with Covid-19.”

The JPs acknowledged Pokipoki pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, they reminded him that the maximum penalty for this breach was a fine of $10,000 and 12-months’ imprisonment.

“Purposefully exposing other members of the public to a highly infectious disease that has the potential to cause deaths is not taken lightly by this Court,” the JPs said.

“Had you introduced Covid-19 to Aitutaki because of this selfish act, you could be receiving a prison sentence.”

The JPs said although Pokipoki was remorseful, the conviction needed to be strong enough to deter other people attempting a similar act.

The JPs fined Pokipoki $1000, and ordered him to pay $50 in Court costs.