Coronavirus Australia: Sydney man refused order to self isolate, Police allege

A man returning from overseas spent the night in jail after he was allegedly caught three times out and about in Sydney after being ordered to self-isolate.

A Sydney man will face court today after police allege he was repeatedly caught ignoring instructions to self-isolate after returning from overseas.

On three separate occasions, the 30-year-old was found by police in various parts of Sydney, even after he was given a serviced apartment to isolate in.

The NSW Police Minister said the man’s “reckless and selfish behaviour” could be dangerous to others.

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On Wednesday, March 18, the man landed in Sydney from Jordan and was told to self isolate for 14 days. The man’s home was in Edensor Park, in Sydney’s south west.

The following Saturday the man was arrested in the suburb on an outstanding warrant and granted court bail but with a strict condition that he continue to self isolate.

Coronavirus warnings at Australia airports.

However, early on Saturday morning, March 28, police say the man was found in Pagewood in Sydney’s eastern suburbs where he was issued with a $1000 fine called a penalty infringement notice for breaking the order to self isolate.

Then at 10pm the same day police say they spoke to him on Pitt St, the main shopping strip in the city’s CBD. He was arrested and later charged for breach of bail and noncompliance with the Public Health Act.

He was granted conditional bail for that incident with an order to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 6 May.

Due to the man’s failure to self-isolate at his home address, he was also directed to self-isolate at a serviced apartment in Camperdown, in the city’s inner west.

However, yesterday police again arrested the man after it was alleged he attempted to leave the accommodation.

This time he was he was refused bail and spent the night behind bars self isolating. He will appear in Sydney’s Central Local Court today.

‘RECKLESS, SELFISH’

The man’s alleged actions earned a swift rebuke from NSW Minister Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott.

“This repeat offender’s reckless and selfish behaviour could have dangerous consequences to the community at large at a time when the vast majority are united to protect lives,” Mr Elliott said.

“I commend police on their continued efforts to ensure those who breach self-isolation directions face the full force of the law. This includes an on-the-spot fine of $1000 for individuals, and a maximum $11000 fine and six months imprisonment.”

A Japanese restaurant also found itself on the wrong side of the law, apparently doing business after restrictions came into place banning indoor dining.

Officers said they observed about 8-10 men inside the restaurant playing poker and drinking alcohol.

As police entered the restaurant, they said some of the men fled. The business owner was issued with a $5000 penalty infringement notice and two other men were given $1000 fines each.

Police said they expected to take further action in regard to illegal gaming and licensing offences.

NSW Police now have the power to issue penalty infringement notices to anyone disregarding the Public Health Act which vary from $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.