Coronavirus Australia: Bondi house party ends with $28,000 in fines

A group of Sydneysiders have been hit with a staggering fine after they were caught throwing a large house party in Bondi Junction.

Police have slapped a group of Sydneysiders with a whopping $28,000 worth of fines after a group of them were caught having a late-night party in the city’s east.

NSW Police issued 28 Penalty Infringement Notices at $1000 each after neighbours complained about the Bondi Junction house party.

Police were called to the Oxford St home just before 1.30am this morning following noise complaints.

Officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command arrived at the Bondi Junction home and immediately observed a large group in the home.

After speaking with a 26-year-old man, it was established he was one of four occupants and there were 24 guests inside, which meant the gathering breached the 20-person limit.

Previously, only the organiser of a rule-breaking gathering would cop the fine, but a recent change introduced on September 14 means all attendees can now be slapped with a penalty.

The house party bust comes as NSW recorded three new cases of coronavirus.

Three new cases of #COVID19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night and one previously reported case has been excluded.

Of the three new cases:
- 2 are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine
- 1 is locally acquired and under investigation pic.twitter.com/ptM0cPa9d0

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 19, 2020

Of the those new cases, two are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine and one is locally acquired and under investigation.

The locally acquired case worked at Concord Hospital while potentially infectious. The case cared for patients with COVID-19 and further investigation is underway to identify how the infection was acquired. Contact tracing is underway.

“While the number of locally acquired cases recorded in the past 24 hours is low, the virus is likely circulating among people in the community with mild symptoms,” NSW Health said.

“As such, the risk of outbreaks and a resurgence of cases remains.

“It’s vital that everyone who does have the virus is tested and diagnosed, in order to stop further spread to others.”

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related Public Health Order is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.