Police are urging the community to follow self-isolation directions, after fining a man in the state’s west who failed to do so.
About 1.25pm on Monday (23 March 2020), a 64-year-old man arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Thailand. He was advised he was subject to a Public Health Order and would be required to quarantine for a 14-day period.
Officers attached to Central North Police District received information that the man planned to breach the order and attended a home in North Bourke about 1.25pm today (Friday 27 March 2020) and advised the man against leaving the property.
About 3.55pm, police received further information that the man left his home to enter the Bourke CBD.
The man was located on Oxley Street, Bourke and advised to go home immediately as he was in breach of the order.
About 4.50pm, officers returned to the man’s home and issued him with a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with a direction under Section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW).
Central North Police District Commander, Superintendent Andrew Hurst, is urging the community to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously for the sake of their community.
“This deadly virus is a national issue, but we must remain particularly vigilant in regional areas, because failing to do so could be devastating for our communities.” Superintendent Hurst said.
“If you choose to put the lives of your community at risk by ignoring a direction, you will be caught and you will be fined.”
NSW Police officers have the additional power to issue Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) to anyone found to be in contravention of a ministerial direction under the Public Health Act.
PINs carry on-the-spot fines of $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.
Anyone with information about members of the community breaching Public Health Orders or otherwise contravening the Public Health Act is urged to report online to Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
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