Ballina man who flew into Ballina then tested positive to Covid faces fines or jail time

Police are investigating whether a man who lied when he flew to Ballina from Sydney, and then tested positive, breached Public Health Orders. He could be facing some hefty punishment.

An incident at Ballina airport, where a man flew to Ballina from Sydney and tested positive to Covid-19, is being investigated by police.

A man who flew into Ballina from Sydney and then tested positive to Covid-19 may be hit with an $11,000 fine, or jail time, if investigators find he was in breach of Public Health Orders.

A NSW Police spokesperson said officers from Blacktown Police Area Command were investigating the incident that occurred on July 14.

They said if found to be in breach of the Public Health Orders, a Penalty Infringement Notice can be issued of $1000, or fines of up to $11,000 and/or six-months jail can be invoked by the court.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport has measures in place to protect against spreading Covid-19.

The spokesperson said officers from Richmond Police District conduct daily patrols and checks when flights land at Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport.

“Police are tasked daily to ensure persons are wearing appropriate face coverings, and compliance checks are also conducted to ensure passengers have a valid reason for travelling to the area,” they said.

“All flights departing from Sydney and landing at the Ballina-Byron Airport are checked by officers from Richmond PD.”

The spokesperson said officers also conduct random checks of passengers as they depart Sydney Domestic Airport.

“If a person arrives and it’s determined they are in breach of the Public Health Order, then they are issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice of $1000,” the spokesperson said.

“They are then informed to return to their residential address. If a person continues to breach the Public Health Order (for example: failing to return to their place of residence), then they can be arrested and placed on bail conditions or bail refused and put before the court.”

The spokesperson said compliance checks are conducted by police on people who have been directed to stay at home as per the Public Health Order.

This involves officers attending the nominated address of the person directed to stay at home. “Any breaches identified are dealt with by the issuing of a PIN, repeated breaches can lead to arrest and charge,” the spokesperson said.

Ballina mayor David Wright said the airport and the airline were taking all measures recommended by NSW Health to protect against the spread of Covid-19 – including wearing masks, social distancing, sanitising, and closing the airport to the public if they are not passengers.