Coronavirus Covid-19: Police Warn Mt Roskill Evangelical Church Leaders They Could Face Prosecution for More Rule Violations

Police have warned church leaders at the center of a Covid-19 subgroup that they may face prosecution if they meet again in violation of government restrictions.

Officers were called to close the Mount Roskill Evangelical Fellowship prayer meeting on August 15, while Auckland was under Alert Level 3 restrictions and meetings were limited to 10 people.

Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers said police were called to the church meeting after 7 p.m., where they found that parishioners were breaking the rules.

“At the scene, the police spoke with the church leaders and told them that the assembled group should disperse,” he said.

“The police also provided education on the alert level 3 restrictions that were in effect at the time.

“Church leaders were verbally warned that any other meeting that violated the restrictions could result in legal proceedings.”

Meanwhile, a rugby league club closely associated with Mount Roskill Evangelical Fellowship is calling for people to be compassionate toward the church.

The Bay Roskill Rugby League, which has been associated with the church for more than 20 years, said the fellowship contributed to the club “at all levels” – including players, administrators and coaches and administration staff.

He’s also linked to the Bay Roskill God Squad, a team within the club that has nurtured league talent, including former Warriors Jerome Ropati and Ben Henry.

A spokeswoman for the league club said members were notified of the Covid threat on Aug. 26, after the church was publicly linked to five positive cases.

Support was provided to members on health and safety protocols, where to get tested, how to stop the spread of the virus, and casual contact information.

Four days later, on August 30, public health authorities advised all club members to get tested for Covid-19 as a precaution, he said.

Forty-three cases of the coronavirus are now linked to the church, and the chief health officer, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, reported six new cases today.

A subgroup of 22 people within that total number has been linked to a funeral on September 2 and visits to the home of the bereaved.

Bloomfield said that a contagious person who was part of the church group had visited the home of the bereaved, despite waiting for the Covid-19 test result.

All close contacts, including the 48 people at the funeral, from those events were isolated and being evaluated.

Health Minister Chris Hipkins said today that it was apparent that some close contacts from the church subgroup Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship had not previously disclosed, including a student who recently tested positive.

A student at St Dominic’s Catholic College in Auckland tested positive for Covid-19 and has been linked to the subgroup. They attended school last Friday, but left early after starting to feel bad.

Hipkins said that in this case it appears it was a close contact of the subgroup that had not previously been disclosed, and that police are now investigating whether that was deliberate.

But Rugby League spokeswoman Bay Roskill said the church was following the guidance of public health authorities, “who have previously reported their gratitude for their help in providing their full support in identifying contacts.”

“I encourage people not to condemn them, but to be compassionate during these uncertain times,” he said.

“We respect the privacy of those who tested positive and wish them the best for a speedy recovery.”

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the mini-cluster was a reminder that meetings were restricted for one reason: to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the community.

“It is disappointing that some, including fringe political groups and others, continue to suggest that these rules are not necessary,” he said.

“Or even worse, that Covid-19 is not real, but some kind of international conspiracy, that statement is obviously incorrect and irresponsible.

“The constraints we all live under are necessary and we all have a role to play in containing and eliminating the virus. If some don’t, they will disappoint everyone else.”

Goff said he was pleased that the Community was now agreeing to the current Covid-19 restrictions, despite initially defying the rules.