The rules may be unfair but if you break them you take the consequences. Unfair, Unjust and stupid? In a zero tolerance country..probably, but the crew knew the rules. I thought in this case their own agent was sufficiently concerned to call the police which I thought was a bit offside.
I would like to think that I would have "invited" the crew to report sick in similar circumstances.
Lots of sympathy for the crew concerned, but if you knowingly break the rules..!