Arrested after embracing a fellow in quarantine

Early this month Jesse Courney Welch entered the detention center in Auckland, New Zealand, to visit a friend who was in quarantine after returning from Australia.

This was not an example of people under severe stress because of a family death or some other reason. You knew full well about quarantine regulations and were not just pleased to talk to him, but you also embraced”, the judge said.

Welshi's lawyer said his client accepted full responsibility for his actions and acknowledged that it was “a big stupid”.

New Zealand has been praised for eliminating the virus in the country, following severe border restrictions and an early impasse, the BBC writes.