Northern Territory Police have issued a 23-year-old New South Wales man with a notice to appear in court after he allegedly illegally crossed the Northern Territory border.
On Monday 13 September, the man arrived at the Kulgera Border Control Point. Police spoke to the man and ascertained that he had recently been in a current NSW hotspot. Police advised he would need to undertake 14 days mandatory quarantine if he entered the Northern Territory. The man chose not to enter the Northern Territory and drove back towards South Australia.
Later that day, police located the man's vehicle abandoned in a culvert approximately two kilometres south of the Kulgera Border Control Point.
On Tuesday 14 September, the man was located and arrested by police in Yulara. Police believe the man crossed the border on foot and then hitchhiked.
Incident Controller Acting Commander Sachin Sharma said, "Police and other agencies have been working tirelessly to provide a coordinated response to this health emergency. The vast majority of travellers have been very cooperative and it is disappointing to see some continue to risk other people's safety.
"We will continue to pursue those who breach the directions of the NT Chief Health Officer.
"Police enquiries found the man only spent a short amount of time in the region. He has been tested for COVID-19 and returned a negative result. He is currently undergoing quarantine in Alice Springs."
The man was issued a notice to appear for:
- contravention of emergency declaration
- false statutory declaration.
He will appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Monday 28 September 2020.
Investigations are continuing.
NT Police and Environmental Health Officers continue to undertake compliance activities.
The infringement penalty for failing to abide by the Chief Health Officer Directions issued under section 56 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 is $5,056 for an individual and $25,280 for a business.
32,391 compliance checks have now been completed and 150 fines issued.
For information on the changes to quarantine requirements, visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au
