Coronavirus: Man fined after telling Albury police he wanted to 'hang out' during COVID-19 crackdown
A man has been slapped with a $1000 on-the-spot fine after telling police he wanted to “hang out” before disregarding their directions to go home multiple times.
The Wagga News
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Two men in the Riverina and Murray regions have been fined $1000 each for breaching measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
On Friday morning, a 30-year-old attended Albury Police Station and told police he wanted to “hang out” but was told to go home because of the coronavirus restrictions.
However, the man remained outside the station and was given a move-on direction.
About 20 minutes after he entered the station, police spoke to the man for a third time outside the station and during a search, they found a pair of scissors in his jumper.
He was fined having ignored their direction to return home.
Earlier that day, Riverina Highway Patrol officers were conducting duties on the Sturt Highway, Forest Hill when a vehicle check showed it was registered to an address in Smithfield, west of Sydney.
Following inquires, the driver claimed he was visiting a friend in Wagga and was fined for non-essential travel.
Since March 17, police have issued 38 court attendance notices and 295 infringements across NSW for breaches of coronavirus measures.
Last Thursday, Riverina Police District’s Superintendent Bob Noble said officers would be “very active” during this weekend in relation to compliance checks.
“We reiterate that unnecessary at this time is against the law,” Superintendent Noble said.
“Going on holidays is not essential travel. Anyone travelling for that purpose will be in breach of the ministerial directions and they can expect to face fairly stiff penalties.”
Police also launched a statewide road blitz this Easter weekend, which includes double demerit points until midnight on Tuesday.
As of 8am on Saturday, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District has 44 confirmed cases of the coronavirus with one being recorded overnight in Albury.
Twenty-five people have recovered and 2446 have been tested.
THE ONLY REASONABLE EXCUSES FOR BEING OUT
1. Obtaining food or goods or services for personal needs of the household (including pets) and for vulnerable persons.
2. Travelling for the purposes of work if the person cannot work from home.
3. Travelling for the purpose of attending childcare (including picking up or dropping another person at childcare).
4. Travelling to attend school or an educational institutions if the person cannot learn from home.
5. Exercising.
6. Obtaining medical care or supplies or health supplies or fulfilling carer’s responsibilities.
7. Attending a wedding or a funeral (as per new ministerial guidelines).
8. Moving to a new place of residence (including a business relocating) or between different places of residence or inspecting a potential new residence.
9. Providing care and assistance to a vulnerable person or emergency assistance.
10. Donating blood.
11. Undertaking any legal obligation.
12. Accessing public services (whether provided by government, private provider or non-government organisation) including social services, employment services, domestic violence services, mental health services, or services provided to victims such as victims of crime.
13. For children who do not live in the same household as their parents, siblings, or one of their parents or siblings, to continue access/contact between parents, siblings and children.
14. For a person who is a priest, minister or member of a religious order going to a place of worship or to provide pastoral care.
15. Avoiding injury or illness or to escape risk or harm
16. For emergencies or compassionate reasons.
Anyone who believes they have may have contracted the COVID-19 virus (i.e. who are returned travellers, or who have come in contact with a confirmed case and are showing symptoms: fever, sore throat, dry cough and shortness of breath) are advised in the first instance to:
- Call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080 and receive advice about the best course of action depending on symptoms and risks.
- Contact your GP to arrange an appointment (let GP practice know in advance if you have symptoms).
- Call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 831 099 for assessment