An interstate tourist has been fined $13,000 over a series of COVID-19 self-quarantine breaches earlier this month.
The 25-year-old man had flown from Adelaide to Perth on 11 December 2020 and was issued a direction to self-quarantine for 14 days at a city hotel. He was arrested by WA Police officers the following day after a routine compliance check at his hotel by members of the Self Quarantine Assurance Team (SQAT).
Officers discovered the man was not in his designated room and was not answering calls to his mobile phone. He returned as officers were still conducting enquiries at the hotel, and was interviewed, making several admissions to knowingly breaching his quarantine requirements. It was revealed he had not traveled directly to his hotel from Perth Airport as directed, instead attending a drive-through takeaway outlet with his driver.
When checking into the hotel he had not worn a protective mask and failed to tell staff of is quarantine requirements. A short time later, he left the hotel to attend a supermarket and a convenience store. Later that night and into the early hours of the following morning, the man left the hotel again to attend a city nightclub for five hours, in the company of the same friend who had driven him from the airport.
When police interviewed him on the afternoon of 12 December, he admitted he had been to Elizabeth Quay that day to take photos.
The man offered no valid or lawful reason for leaving the quarantine location and admitted to those breaches. He was taken to Perth Watch House and was remanded in custody.
Yesterday in the Perth Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to 5 counts of Fail to Comply with an Emergency Management Act Direction. He was fined a total of $13,000, which he must pay before he is released from custody.
The man has subsequently returned a negative COVID-19 test and his quarantine period expired at 11.59PM on 25 December.
A WA Police spokesperson said anyone who attempts to compromise the health of our community by breaching directions can expect a strong and swift response.
"Based on yesterday's court outcomes, these offenders can also expect a significant court-imposed penalty."
"Breaching directions made under the Emergency Management Act may result in on-the-spot fines of $1,000 for individuals, or where a matter is deemed serious and dealt with under formal criminal charges penalties of up to $50,000 or imprisonment for 12 months may be imposed by the courts."
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