Queensland residents in home quarantine are being warned to follow their obligations closely with police issuing fines to five people for breaching stay at home directions in the past three days.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has completed 186 home quarantine compliance checks since December 19, resulting in a 97 per cent compliance rate.
On December 19, a 31-year-old man was issued with a $1,334 penalty infringement notice (PIN) for failing to comply with COVID-19 border direction. Police will allege the man was directed into home quarantine at his accommodation on Stradbroke Island and went for a walk on the beach. The man is now completing quarantine in a hotel over the Christmas period.
On December 20, a 61-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman from Northern Beaches were both issued a penalty infringement notice (PIN) for $1,334 after failing to comply with COVID-19 border direction. Police allege the couple left their accommodation on Main Beach to visit a nearby beach. They have since returned to New South Wales.
On December 20, police conducted a compliance check on a 34-year-old man who had been directed to home quarantine at a Woree address. Police will allege the man was not present at the time and was later located nearby. He was issued a $1,334 penalty infringement notice (PIN) and is now completing the remainder of his quarantine in a hotel.
On December 21, a 20-year-old Redland Bay woman was issued a $4,003 penalty infringement notice (PIN) for failing to comply with the border direction and lying on her border declaration pass. Police will allege the woman provided false information and did not declare she had returned from a declared New South Wales hotspot. The woman is now completing the remainder of her quarantine in hotel.
All five people have returned a negative COVID-19 test.
Assistant Commissioner Shane Chelepy said whilst the majority of people are doing the right thing, some people are choosing to blatantly disregard the rules.
"People quarantining at a private address need to take their obligations seriously and stay at home," Assistant Commissioner Chelepy said.
"Police will be conducting random checks on those people in home quarantine to ensure they are doing the right thing and not putting others at risk by going into public spaces.
"Those who are found to be flouting the rules and leaving their property could not only face a hefty fine, they are likely to be placed into hotel quarantine at their expense."
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said quarantine is our best defence for keeping COVID-19 out of the state.
"It's really disappointing to hear that people are not complying with their home quarantine notices," she said.
"I know it's an inconvenience, but it is absolutely vital.
"How would you feel if you ended up with COVID-19 and gave it to your grandmother?"
"I'm pleading with Queenslanders to follow the rules and keep up the great work of keeping Queenslanders safe."
Failure to comply with quarantine directions could result in on-the-spot fines of $1,334.
Providing false information on the declaration or entering Queensland unlawfully could result in a $4,003 fine.
More information about Queensland's Covid-19 border restrictions can be accessed here.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
