Police have taken legal action against eight people, including a man who allegedly attempted to leave hotel quarantine without satisfying the requirements under the Public Health Act.
Just after 8am yesterday (Tuesday 5 January 2021), police performing hotel quarantine duties at a hotel on Elizabeth Street, Sydney, were called to assist with a guest attempting to leave his room.
Officers were told the 43-year-old man, who arrived in Sydney from Los Angeles on Wednesday 23 December 2020, had refused COVID testing during his quarantine period and was therefore required to complete a further 10 days in hotel quarantine.
It's alleged the man challenged police in the hallway and questioned police powers under the Public Health Act before the officers physically escorted back to his room.
Additional security officers were allocated to the floor to ensure the man complied with the quarantine order.
Following further inquiries, the Queensland man was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 - COVID-19.
He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Wednesday 6 January 2021).
In a separate incident overnight, a man has been issued a $1,000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) following a gathering at a home in Guildford.
About 10.45pm (Tuesday 5 January 2021), officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command attended a home on Clement Street and discovered a house party with between 30 and 40 guests in attendance.
Police were told the group had earlier been playing loud drums in the backyard.
The homeowner, a 23-year-old man, was issued a $1,000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 - COVID-19. Inquiries are continuing.
Meanwhile, six people have also been fined for allegedly not wearing masks across Greater Sydney up until 5pm yesterday (Tuesday 5 January 2021).
- Officers from Police Transport Command (PTC) spoke with a 27-year-old man who was not wearing a face mask about 7.15am, as part of patrols on a Western Line train. The man stated he was in a hurry and didn't have a face mask. He was issued a $200 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN).
- About 1pm, PTC officers spoke to a 24-year-old man who was not wearing a mask on a Southern Line train. He told police he had some at home but forgot. He was issued a $200 PIN. The man was again spoken to by police at 2.20pm at Sydenham Railway Station, where he was given a warning and told to get a mask before boarding another train.
- PTC officers were patrolling Campsie Railway Station about 4.30pm, when they approached a 20-year-old man who was not wearing a mask. The man said he had taken it off while on the train before questioning police powers. He was issued a $200 PIN.
- A 23-year-old man was approached by PTC officers at Sydney Railway Station about 2.40pm, after he was observed riding a scooter on the platform after getting off a train. Despite being told not to ride on the platform, the man – who was not wearing a face mask – continued to ride the scooter. The man eventually stopped and put a mask over his face. Inquiries revealed he didn't have an opal card and while being moved on from the area, the man removed his face covering. He was subsequently issued a $200 PIN as well as infringements for travelling without a valid ticket and riding the scooter on the platform.
- About 4.30pm, officers attached to PTC approached a 27-year-old woman who was not wearing a face mask at Campsie Railway Station. The woman became aggressive with police and was subsequently issued a $200 PIN.
Police also issued 29 warnings across Greater Sydney to people not wearing masks 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 with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or 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.
