NSW Police issues 14 PINs on the Northern Rivers in two days

Two shops and a cafe in Mullumbimby are some of the businesses fined after police inspected their premises as part of the lockdown enforcement.

Two of the PINs were issued in Mullumbimby during a proactive COVID-19 compliance police patrol. Picture: Glen Pearson/iStock

NSW Police issued 14 penalty infringement notices (PINs) on the Northern Rivers in two days, as part of their lockdown enforcement duties.

A spokeswoman from NSW Police said Richmond Police District issued six PINS, while Tweed Byron issued another eight, between Tuesday and Wednesday, August 10 and 11.

The spokesperson said two of the PINs were issued after officers from Tweed/Byron Police District attended two shops on Stuart and Dalley St in Mullumbimby, during a COVID-19 compliance patrol, on Tuesday, August 10.

“Upon attending a food store on Stuart Street, police observed no written register of customers as required by the Public Health Order,” she said.

“Police also observed staff members not wearing fitted face coverings, which is also a requirement as outlined in the Public Health Order.

“A fitted face covering must be worn at all retail premises indoors, or business premises that provides goods/services to members of the public who attend the premises.”

Police then attended a cafe on Dalley Street, where they spoke with the owner of the store, who was not wearing a fitted face covering.

“Police also observed patrons sitting and gathering immediately outside the store which is a breach of the current Public Health Order, as food and drink premises must not open to the public except for selling food or beverages for people to consume takeaway,” she said.

“Both the man and woman at each businesses were issued with $1000 PINs for fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 – individual.”

The spokeswoman said NSW Police will continue to enforce the Public Health Order within the Tweed/Byron and Richmond Police Districts while four Local Government Areas in the region remain under Stay at Home orders until 12.01am Tuesday, August 17.