A man who was wrongly accused of spreading Covid-19 in a Lidl supermarket has been awarded €12,500 in compensation. The incident occurred during the early days of the pandemic when fears and uncertainties were high. The man’s experience casts a light on the stigma and discrimination that those who test positive for the virus can face. The case was heard in a Dublin court and the ruling could have implications for how businesses must handle Covid-19 cases in the future.
On Tuesday, Judge James McCourt presided over a defamation case in which Lidl was accused of causing €75,000 worth of damage to the reputation of Maciek Molisak, a computer software analyst. During the early, terrifying days of Covid, people were extremely paranoid and even went as far as stepping off the footpath when passing others, the judge noted. Mr. Molisak alleged that the Kildare Town Lidl branch manager accused him of spreading the disease in-store after he mentioned that he and his wife, a front-line worker in a care home, had tested positive for Covid-19 in March 2020. The claimant believed that his reputation had been damaged among customers present in the shop and the Polish community of Kildare Town. Lidl denied the allegations. However, the judge awarded Mr. Molisak €12,500 in damages, considering the difficult, uncertain times that prevailed at the time.
In conclusion, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of following public health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. While false accusations of spreading the virus can have serious consequences, it is crucial to remember that the wellbeing of our communities relies on all of us doing our part to stop the spread of the virus. Hopefully, this outcome will bring some closure and relief to the man who was wrongly accused, and serve as a lesson for all of us to be vigilant and responsible during these challenging times.
