A licensed premises in Armidale has been issued a penalty infringement notice (PIN) following a breach of public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shortly before 9pm on Friday (17 July 2020), officers attached to New England Police District attended a licensed premises on Faulkner Street, Armidale, to conduct a COVID-19 Public Health Order check.
Police will allege upward of 30 patrons occupied two small areas of the premises with no social distancing maintained.
Patrons were instructed to vacate the immediate area to which they complied, and the premises has since been spoken to by police regarding their COVID-19 safety plan.
Following extensive inquiries, the venue was issued with a $5000 fine earlier today (Monday 20 July 2020), for failing to comply with requirements of a Public Health Order – COVID-19.
The maximum penalty for contravening a Public Health Order is a fine of up to $11,000 and/or six months imprisonment.
The standard penalty is a fine by way of an on-the-spot Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) – $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.
New England Police District Commander, Superintendent Scott Tanner, said police will continue to work with businesses in relation to their COVID-19 safety plans and provide advice and guidance.
"Whilst it is the responsibility of licensed premises to ensure they're complying with Public Health Orders, the public have to understand they're putting those premises at risk and they may also be held liable," Supt Tanner said.
"They're putting the livelihoods of these businesses at risk, and if people don't think it's going to happen in our area they only have to look at other regional areas that are being impacted."
Supt Tanner said the public need to take responsibility for their actions.
"The parties that put this licensed premises at risk were young people whose behaviour was a display of recklessness, and if they think they're immune to COVID-19, or to Public Health Orders, they can think again," he said.
"Up until this stage we've been trying to work with the community and with licensed premises, but clearly that's fallen on deaf ears so we have no other option than to enforce these Public Health Orders and we will continue to do so."
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.
