Men twice as bad as woman for breaking virus rules, new figures show

Men are twice as bad for breaking pandemic rules, new figures show, as SA’s “COVIDidiot” hotspots are revealed.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said vigirlance remained critical even if it seemed like an outbreak in SA was not likely. Picture: Tait Schmaal

South Australia’s worst COVID-19 offenders are men and aged in their 20s, new official figures reveal, as the state’s top cop urged coronavirus ban compliance to protect freedoms.

Police statistics obtained by the Sunday Mail under Freedom of Information laws show “COVIDiots” ranged in age from teenagers as young as 16 and older people aged up to 78.

The first breakdown of the 1008 fines for legal direction breaches shows most expiations emerged during November’s three-day lockdown sparked by the state’s worst outbreak, the Parafield cluster.

Those living in Adelaide’s CBD, Port Augusta or Paralowie, in the northern suburbs, were the biggest flouters between late March – when formal COVID punishments were enforced – and New Year’s Day.

Police, who educate offenders in the first instance, have issued 3508 fines in total after escalating action for “blatant” flouting of state emergency laws.

Officers have cautioned at least 2400 people as 96 per cent of 21,4501 individual checks were compliant and 95 per cent of 64,977 business inspections.

Speaking ahead of a transition committee on Tuesday, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said restrictions would only ease if authorities were confident the risk of spread was low.

“South Australia enjoys relatively low levels of restrictions compared to other states and territories and we are constantly considering the ability to relax them even more,” he said.

“For this to happen, we have to be confident that the community is committed to supporting and using the COVID safe measures we have in place.

“I appreciate the challenge of remaining vigilant when the threat of COVID seems quite remote in SA but the Health advice highlights the need for us all to do our bit in preventing an outbreak and getting on top of it if it occurs.”

Mr Stevens, who authorises rule changes as state co-ordinator, said South Australians had “been very successful” in the virus fight because “we have been committed as a community to abide by the directions” such as border closures or public activity bans.

He said police responded to community tip offs and focused checks on public gatherings, home-based activities, QR code use and sporting or entertainment events including junior sport.

Since December police have checked 185 indoor and outdoor fitness, recreation or sporting venues. Just 10 fitness or recreation venues were found non-compliant.

The FOI data shows men received 665 fines, or almost two thirds, compared to 341 women.

Figures show 369 fines were handed to people in their 20s while 64 teenagers were fined while pensioners aged in their 70s, were caught 14 times.

Mr Stevens said individual $1000 fines or $5000 for companies showed “how seriously the risk of COVID is taken”.

He said for breaches “that are so significant that even a fine is insufficient” resulted in prosecution and “numerous instances where offenders breaching the directions have been arrested and remanded in custody for days or weeks pending their appearance in court”.

“The relatively low number of expiations issued since for breaching directions … is a strong indicator of the generally high levels of compliance across the community,” he said.

“Our approach has always been to provide support and education, particularly when we see businesses or individuals trying to do the right thing.

“Police respond to reports from the community regarding suspected breaches and these frequently involve large gatherings as private homes and other venues.”

Opposition spokesman Chris Picton said the figures highlighted the need for safer quarantine as well as an effective vaccine rollout to avoid more shutdowns and risk.

“While the vast majority of South Australians have done the right thing, it is extremely disappointing some have chosen to put others at risk,” he said.