Moreton Police Inspector pleads with residents to adhere to social distancing rules

A top cop in a region north of Brisbane is pleading with people to adhere to social distancing rules. He says some just doe not seem to “understand the seriousness of the situation”.

Police Inspector of South Moreton Patrol Group Craig White says people across the Moreton region where continuing to disobey social distances rules.

The rules, put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, require people to stay 1.5m apart and not gather in groups of more than two people outdoors.

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Parks, skate parks and public swimming pools, including Settlement Cove Lagoon are no closed to the public – but Insp White said people were continuing to use the facilities.

Insp White said many younger people possibly felt like they would be not affected by the virus so were choosing to disobey the tough new rules.

Moreton District newly appointed police Inspector Craig White.

“Countries all over the world are experiencing the impact of COVID-19 on their communities and overwhelming demands on their health sector,” Insp White said.

“There are many countries throughout the world who are experiencing hundreds of deaths each day from the virus.

“In Australia, our governments and communities are trying to prevent similar tragedy occurring locally and they are doing all they can to communicate the social distancing message.

“Unfortunately some people just don’t seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. “They tend to forget that our parents and those members of the community suffering underlying health conditions are highly vulnerable and that by practising social distancing could stop the spread of the virus and ultimately save someone’s life.”

Insp White said social distancing was not hard to do.

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“If all it takes is to practice social distancing for a while to get the spread of this virus under control then this means that business and members of our community can return to normal sooner,” he said.

Insp White said Moreton Police were yet to issue any fines.

“However because of the urgency of the situation and the lack of social distancing compliance in some sectors of the community it is something that we will be enforcing,” he said.