A licensee has been charged after allegedly failing to implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan, despite being warned and the business previously being issued with a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN).
About 11.40am last Friday (7 August 2020) officers from Richmond Police District attended a licensed premise on the Bruxner Highway, west of Casino, to conduct a COVID-19 compliance check.
They spoke to the licensee, a 65-year-old man, who informed them he did not have a COVID-19 Safety Plan, as he was going to complete one the day before but his printer wasn’t working.
The premises was issued with a $5000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction, and the licensee was provided with further advice as to how to comply with the current health restrictions.
About 10.45am yesterday (Tuesday 11 August 2020) officers again attended the premises to ensure the correct practices had been put in place, however, when they arrived, the licensee was still unable to produce a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
This morning (Wednesday 12 August 2020) police returned to the premises and issued the man with a Court Attendance Notice for not comply with noticed direction.
He is due to appear at Casino Local Court on Thursday 8 October 2020.
In a separate incident, the licensee of a hotel at Tuncurry was issued with a $1000 PIN following an investigation into alleged breaches of COVID-19 Public Health Orders over the weekend.
On Saturday 8 August 2020, officers from Manning Great Lakes Police District were conducting proactive patrols when they attended the premises on Manning Street and identified a number of potential breaches.
Of note, a 21st birthday gathering was underway, which inquiries revealed had been booked for 10 people, however, numerous others were in attendance.
Further, social distancing was not being adhered to, in particular in the pub’s gaming area.
Following further inquiries, the licensee was issued with a $1000 PIN for fail to comply with noticed direction yesterday (11 August 2020).
Investigations remain underway into the planned birthday party.
Three PINs were also issued to individuals in separate incidents yesterday (Tuesday 11 August 2020):
- A 23-year-old man was issued a $1000 PIN by officers from Murray River Police District after attempting to enter NSW for the third time without a valid permit.
- A 65-year-old man was issued a $1000 PIN by officers from Barrier Police District after continuing through the Buronga border checkpoint despite being denied entry due to not having a valid permit.
- A 58-year-old man was issued a $1000 PIN by officers from Murray River Police District after entering NSW without a valid permit. The man was stopped on the Hume Highway at Woomargama for the purposes of a Random Breath Test yesterday (Tuesday 11 August 2020). When spoken to by officers, he produced a Victorian licence and an invalid NSW border entry permit. He was issued a $1000 PIN, directed to leave NSW and escorted back to the Victorian border.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.