A Newcastle business owner is the latest to receive a $5000 infringement notice under the Public Health Act NSW (2010), after continuing to receive customers in contravention of a ministerial direction.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended a remedial massage business on Harrison Street, Cardiff, about 4pm yesterday (Wednesday 1 April 2020), following information it was continuing to operate.
Police observed several customers enter and leave the premises.
The operator, a 57-year-old woman, was spoken to and issued a $5,000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction (Section 7/8/9 – COVID-19).
Since Tuesday 17 March 2020, police have issued two Court Attendance Notices for Breaching the Public Health Act.
Crime Stoppers has received 3,200 reports related to COVID-19 since Tuesday 17 March 2020, and police have conducted more than 3900 compliance checks across NSW.
Additionally, officers have now handed out 30 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for failing to comply with a ministerial direction under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW). Of these, 27 were issued to individuals, and three to business owners.
NSWPF Commissioner Mick Fuller will personally review every Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) issued in relation to alleged breaches of Public Health Orders, to ensure the issuing of such infringements is the most appropriate course of action.
Commissioner Fuller will also be reviewing the wider application of this new legislation daily to ensure best practice across the board.
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.
