Police have issued a licensee a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) after a Fairfield venue allegedly breached a Public Health Order.
Officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command, licensing police and South West Metropolitan Operations Support Group attended a venue on Spencer Street, Fairfield, about 9.30pm on Saturday (2 January 2021) after concerns were raised about the number of guests at a wedding.
Police observed a large group at the location and spoke to the venue operator, a 46-year-old man. He was advised a number of guests would be required to leave, which he complied with.
Following further inquiries, the licensee of the venue attended Fairfield Police Station yesterday afternoon (Sunday 3 January 2021).
He was issued a $5000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction s7/8/9-COVID-19-Corporation.
Separately, three individuals have also been fined in recent days for breaching the Public Health Order:
- A 27-year-old Cronulla woman has received two PINs in three days for failing to self-isolate as required under the Public Health Act. Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District attended a resort at Byron Bay about 8.30pm on Thursday (31 December 2020), after receiving information in relation a possible breach of public health orders. Police were told the woman had been notified she was a close contact of a positive COVID case but was not self-isolating and had not been tested. The woman was provided advice about testing facilities and self-isolation before being given PPE to assist with safe travel to the facility. Officers returned to the resort about 8pm the following day (Friday 1 January 2021), and found the woman was not self-isolating. The woman was issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with the direction under S7/8/9 of the Public Health Act. About 3.30pm yesterday (Sunday 3 January 2021), police were again called to resort after reports the woman was not self-isolating, instead swimming in the resort pool. Following inquiries, the woman was issued with another $1000 PIN for failing to comply with the direction under S7/8/9 of the Public Health Act.
- Two people have been issued PINs after leaving their Northern Beaches home to holiday on the state's north coast. On Saturday (3 January 2021), police were notified that a man and woman, both aged 32, had left their Collaroy home the previous day to travel to Yamba for a holiday. Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District spoke with the pair and determined they didn't have a lawful excuse for leaving their home and, in doing so, had breached the Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Order. Both were issued an $1000 PIN.
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.
