Police have issued four Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) in the last 24 hours relating to three separate breaches of COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
On Wednesday (26 August 2020), officers attached to Operation Border Closure raised concerns over the validity of a permit produced by a 41-year-old man at the Wodonga Place, South Albury, checkpoint.
Initial checks indicated his reason for travel was consistent with the permit, and the man was granted entry, but the matter was referred to local police to conduct further inquiries.
After establishing the man had travelled to Eden, police attended a caravan park to speak with him but he could not be located.
Following further inquiries, police returned to the caravan park just before 1pm yesterday (Thursday 27 August 2020), as the man was attempting to leave.
He was directed to return to Victoria and advised he would be issued with a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with requirements of the Public Health Orders.
In a separate incident, a ride-share vehicle was stopped at a border checkpoint on the Hume Highway at Albury, about 10am yesterday (Thursday 27 August 2020).
The driver inquired whether he would be allowed to re-enter NSW if he dropped his customer home in Westmeadows, Victoria.
Checks on the man’s 22-year-old male customer revealed he did not have a valid permit to be in NSW.
He was issued with a $1000 PIN and escorted back into Victoria.
About 6pm on Monday 27 July 2020, police from Operation Border Closure stopped a taxi at the checkpoint on Wodonga Place, South Albury, and spoke with the driver who provided all necessary documentation, before speaking with his passengers – a 41-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman.
Checks revealed the man was meant to be in self-isolation and the woman had crossed the border for reasons inconsistent with her permit.
The pair were directed to return to their homes in Albury and advised police would conduct further inquiries.
As a result of those inquiries, the man and woman were each issued with $1000 PINs yesterday.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
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.
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