Police have issued one business and 16 individuals with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) and charged one person at the weekend following a number of alleged breaches of Ministerial Directions under the Public Health Act.
Just after 2.30pm on Saturday (10 October 2020), officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command attended a restaurant at Macleay Street, Potts Point, to conduct a business inspection.
It was established that the restaurant was using an outdated COVID Safety Plan and was not up to date with the current requirements under the Public Health Act.
Further, the manager was unable to locate a copy of the venue’s liquor licence, as required under Liquor Regulation 2018.
Following further inquiries, the manager was issued a $5000 PIN.
Just before 12.30am last Friday (9 October 2020) officers attached to Operation Border Closure stopped a Nissan Patrol at the checkpoint on Murray Valley Way, Euston.
Police spoke with the 53-year-old female driver, who indicated she did not have identification or a permit because her purse had been stolen. She verbally provided details to be checked, which revealed that there was no driver’s licence recorded for that identity, and entry into NSW had been refused four days prior.
While speaking with the woman, officers noticed a handbag on the back seat of the vehicle, which was then established to belong to her. It contained identification in a different name – the woman’s true identity.
During a search of the woman’s belongings, police also located and seized heroin and further checks revealed the woman’s licence was suspended until 2021.
The woman was issued a Court Attendance Notice for drive whilst disqualified and possess prohibited drug and is due to appear in court at a later date.
She was also issued with a $1000 PIN for fail to comply notice/direction in relation to section 7/8/9 COVID-19 and a second $1000 PIN for fail to provide/give false information on request COVID-19 Border Control.
Officers from Operation Border Closure also stopped a Hyundai Getz about 10pm on Friday at the checkpoint on Murray Valley Way, Euston, and spoke with the 26-year-old male driver.
The man said he had travelled from South Australia and was not aware he required a permit.
Subsequent checks revealed the man had attempted to enter NSW at the Tooleybuc checkpoint just after 8pm, was refused entry and advised entry was only permitted via the Sturt Highway at the Mildura checkpoint.
Police issued the man with a $1000 PIN and refused entry into NSW.
About 1am on Saturday (10 October 2020), officers attached to Operation Border Closure stopped a Holden Commodore at the Barham checkpoint and spoke with the 50-year-old female driver, who was unable to produce a permit to enter NSW.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located a 60-year-old woman in the boot of the car.
Both women were issued with $1000 PINs for fail to comply notice/direction in relation to section 7/8/9 COVID-19.
The older woman was also charged with a breach of bail and issued a Traffic Infringement Notice for travel in/on boot of motor vehicle.
She is next due to appear at Deniliquin Local Court on Tuesday 3 November 2020.
Further, as previously reported, a 19-year-old woman was charged, and 11 people were issued PINs following an unauthorised protest in Sydney CBD on Saturday.
The woman is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 3 November 2020.
Police are reminding the community that restrictions still apply for travel from Victoria into NSW, and exempt residents must use specific routes to be granted entry at the southern border.
Under a new exemptions issued by the NSW Government on Friday, returning NSW residents and residents of Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the ACT and Northern Territory may enter NSW at one designated checkpoint without a permit and only if they meet certain criteria.
These residents will only be granted entry at the George Caffey Bridge on the Sturt Highway at Mildura.
In addition, they must not have been in Victoria in the previous 14 days, other than travelling on the Sturt Highway for the purpose of getting to or from NSW and South Australia.
More information about restrictions at the border can be found at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/border-restrictions
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 information via NSW Police social media pages.
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