No more warnings for people flouting COVID-19 laws

Western residents are blatantly ignoring COVID-19 rules, and police say warnings will no longer cut it: fines of over $1300 will come to those doing the wrong thing.

Cunnamulla Police say they have given enough warnings to coronavirus rule breakers, and now they will start fining people who are doing the wrong thing. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

THERE will be no more warnings for the people of Cunnamulla, who have been intentionally breaking coronavirus protection rules despite repeated warnings from police.

In the past fortnight, officers have issued eight official warnings to residents and travellers, who have been flouting all public health declarations by gathering at house parties.

Until now, Cunnamulla Police have only been giving warnings to those breaking the rules, which are designed to stop COVID-19 from spreading; but senior sergeant Isa Tolete said enough is enough, and his officers will start slapping people with fines of over $1300.

“My officers have had interactions with the same people over the past few nights for the same reasons, so we had to look at whether we should fine people or continue giving warnings,” he said.

“So far we have been fairly lenient, given that Cunnamulla is a small town and we wanted to give everyone plenty of notice (about the new rules).

“Obviously now it is starting to wear out, because we have given the town plenty of notice on what needs to happen regarding these rules.

“So yes, we will start stepping up with our enforcement of fines for people who don’t comply with them.”

In addition to patrols around town, local officers have also been assigned to the border checkpoint at Barringun, south of Cunnamulla.

Every vehicle is being stopped at the checkpoint, and while most drivers are travelling for a reason, Snr Sgt Tolete said some people still aren’t getting the message.

“Border patrols are currently ongoing, and there are a few vehicles which have been turned away when trying to enter Queensland – I understand it is about six drivers,” he said.

“Those people were trying to go on holiday, or simply go for a drive to come through Queensland and get away from bigger cities.

“Obviously with the travel restrictions in place, they were directed to turn around, and weren’t allowed to cross the border in to Queensland.”

In Cunnamulla and surrounds, most people are reportedly following all of the health directions, and aren’t putting the community at risk of contracting COVID-19.

But with those eight warnings handed out, Snr Sgt Tolete said it is a reminder to stay home and stop any potential spread.

“The majority of people I have come across have been pretty good with following the laws which are in place,” he said.

“But we want to remind people to stay home, not go out unless it is absolutely necessary and essential, and comply with the rules.

“If people start flouting these rules, we will be enforcing those fines, and anyone could be fined up to $1334.”

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