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Bride fined for leaving northern beaches to get married amid COVID restrictions

Nine more Northern Beaches residents have been fined for allegedly breaching lockdown to attend a wedding at Pyrmont. The bride and her family have been slammed for the risky move.

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Nine more Northern Beaches residents have been fined for allegedly breaching lockdown to attend a wedding reception in Pyrmont.

Three men and two women from Narraweena, a man and woman from Collaroy Plateau and a man and woman from Frenchs Forest joined a growing list of 21 people to be hit with $1000 fines.

The bride and her family have been slammed for putting the whole state at risk by leaving the northern beaches to attend her weekend wedding in the city.

Diana Falasca, 28, was among those fined for leaving her Beacon Hill home to marry Mark Bonifacio at Doltone House in Pyrmont on Sunday afternoon.

The groom was not in breach of any health regulations and was not get fined, police said.

Fines were handed out at the wedding of Diana Falasca to Mark Bonifacio on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Instagram
Fines were handed out at the wedding of Diana Falasca to Mark Bonifacio on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Instagram
The wedding at Pyrmont’s Doltone House on Sunday.
The wedding at Pyrmont’s Doltone House on Sunday.

Many of Ms Falasca’s family and members of the bridal party were among those fined and more are expected as police comb through the guest list to check where they came from.

“That is the type of behaviour that risks it for everybody,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

“But I think all of us were shaking our heads, absolutely aghast that occurred.”

On Monday, police handed the bride and 11 guests $1000 fines for breaching COVID restrictions.

Police received an anonymous tip on Sunday afternoon that there was a large contingent of northern beaches residents at the reception.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has expressed her disappointment.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has expressed her disappointment.
The wedding at Pyrmont’s Doltone House on Sunday.
The wedding at Pyrmont’s Doltone House on Sunday.

Police waited until the wedding ceremony was over before moving in to interview staff and guests, and issuing the infringement notices.

“We appreciate that those milestone events are special times for people, but please consider the greater risk you are posing to every person in NSW and the broader community of our nation,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Please know that if you do the wrong thing, you will get caught, especially when it is so brazen as to do that.”

Assistant NSW Police Commissioner Mick Willing has urged people with large events to be aware of the restrictions over the holiday period.

“I think the community by and large has made great sacrifices,” he said.

“As the Premier said, this is the type of behaviour we are trying to discourage.”

Originally published as Bride fined for leaving northern beaches to get married amid COVID restrictions

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/coronavirus-nsw-bride-fined-after-sneaking-out-of-northern-beaches-to-get-married/news-story/e144b3ba89ee6eaad0c739423ca32ca6