Burpengary man fined $1378 as police warn residents to obey lockdown laws

It was an expensive photo opportunity for one southeast Queensland man while he was out on a walk after he was hit with a $1378 fine. This is what he did wrong.

A photo session with friends has cost a Moreton Bay region man more than a thousand dollars for breaching Covid-19 regulations.

The 31-year-old Burpengary man was issued with a $1378 fine after he was found at North Lakes walking outdoors.

The man told officers he was on his way to take photos with some friends.

And he’s not the only one paying a steep price for breaking the rules, with 14 fines issued in the Moreton region since the lockdown began on July 31.

Three men and a woman from Redcliffe were also caught and now facing penalties totalling more than $5000.

Another woman from the Sunshine Coast was issued a $1378 fine after she was caught on her way to Toowoomba with no valid excuse.

A further three people have received a $206 fine for failing to carry or wear a face mask without an exemption.

Police are urging residents to stay home and follow lockdown restrictions after issuing several fines in the Moreton region.

The incidents have prompted police to issue a stern warning, urging residents not to become complacent and to obey the rules.

“In these difficult times, police would prefer not to write these infringements,” Moreton Police community engagement officer Sen-Constable Jo Arthur said.

“If people refuse to listen to the warnings and continue to disregard the messaging, then they (police) are left with no option (but) to ensure the safety of all community members.

“Please stay home, help save lives and don’t abuse the restrictions – they are there for a reason.”

Officers speak to pedestrians as they patrol the CBD during a lockdown in Brisbane. Picture: Jono Searle

Police across the Moreton region have answered more than 160 calls regarding residents not following the Chief Health Officer’s directions since lockdown began.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said it was up to the community whether the lockdown was extended or not.

“If we do this right over the next five days … we can see the southeast come out of lockdown,” she said.

She said people should not be questioning health directives or trying to find holes in the rules.

They also needed to exercise common sense on whether they had to go out and potentially expose themselves, or others, to Covid.