Arorangi Prison on Rarotonga looks to be in lockdown but no one in authority appears to have an explanation.

Cook Islands News spotted the swing arm access gate closed at the facility on Sunday, with signage stating the prison is in lockdown.

A guard at the gate said the prison was in lockdown and asked the newspaper not to take photographs.

Cook Islands News then contacted Minister George Maggie’s office on Monday and was referred to the prison superintendent Teariki Purua.

After numerous calls to the prison with no luck reaching Purua, the newspaper rang Minister Maggie who said he did not know what was going on.

The newspaper understands the prison is in lockdown due to Covid-19 community cases in Rarotonga. There are currently four active Covid-19 cases on the island, all in isolation.