Nine people fled from a compulsory fortnight center where they had been placed when they arrived in Reunion as part of the fight against the coronavirus. The fugitives, including six members of the same family, "left the scene" Monday, "without having been authorized," said the prefecture in a statement.
To justify their flight, they claimed that their living conditions were "unlivable" in this center opened on Saturday. The prefecture "absolutely disagrees with this observation". She explains that these people had been allocated "rooms of a hotel recognized for its high-end character", with for large families "connecting rooms, with two balconies, type + suite +".
"The meals are delivered three times a day by a catering service which has adapted the packed lunches to the taboos and dietary needs of people," continues the prefecture. "At the hotel reception, fruit, pastries, bread, tea and coffee are available", and "each room has a TV, wi-fi access and a landline telephone "
An "irresponsible" act
Residents can leave their room one hour a day while respecting the "barrier" gestures but cannot leave the hotel site, the prefecture also reminds. She "strongly condemns this irresponsible act" which "goes against the commitments signed by the travelers concerned on their arrival in the territory and of any civic sense".
The persons concerned were verbalized by the police, and the prefect of La Réunion made a report to the public prosecutor of Saint-Denis, who "may decide to prosecute before the criminal court". When questioned, the prefecture did not specify if the people were brought back to the fortnight center or if they were able to return home.
In Reunion, the medical community estimated that the fortnight at home did not offer sufficient guarantees to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. This is how strict and compulsory fortnight centers have been set up since March 30 to allow the return of Reunion residents or people with a compelling reason to come to the island.
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