Covid-positive UK DJ breaks New Zealand quarantine rules

UK Drum ‘n’ Bass DJ Dimension (Robert Etheridge) has been the focal point of the Omicron scare in New Zealand.

The DJ tested positive for the Omicron variant in the first exposure in New Zealand.

According to a social media post from the DJ, he tested positive on the 12th day after he had completed his ten days of isolation. A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Ministry of Health said Dimension had left isolation before being given the all-clear from his legally required Day 9 COVID test.

Etheridge arrived in New Zealand on the 16th of December, isolating until the 23rd of December in a hotel. Before finishing the last three days of isolation at home.

The DJ took the legally required Day 9 COVID test on 25th of December and left isolation the day after (26th of December) without receiving his results, according to New Zealand government officials.

Dimension then decided to head out to local shops, restaurants and bars and finally clubbing in Auckland.

On day 12, his result returned positive for Omicron, reportedly the country’s first known community case. It has resulted in public outrage at the DJ’s disregard for the rules.

The DJ claims he wasn’t aware of the rules. Therefore he didn’t realise he was breaking them in the first place. When he received his positive result, Etheridge was sent back to the Auckland MIQ facility the same day.

Dimension was due to play Rhythm & Alps Festival in Auckland along with many other artists scheduled to perform – they have had to pull out of playing the festival.

Read Dimension’s statement here.