NSW man who labelled COVID-19 a hoax charged twice for not wearing a face mask

A man who allegedly dismissed COVID-19 as a hoax and repeatedly refused to put on a mask has been charged. He wasn’t the only person caught in public without one.

NSW Police charged and fined a number of people over the weekend for refusing to wear a face mask. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

A NSW man who allegedly dismissed COVID-19 as a hoax and repeatedly refused to wear a face mask has been charged.

Police say they first stopped the 55-year-old at Central Railway Station about 7am on Friday after seeing him without a mask on.

Officers spoke to the man, who allegedly said he did not believe COVID-19 was real and did not want to wear a mask or leave the location.

He was arrested and charged with not wearing a fitted face covering in a public transport waiting area.

He was granted bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on February 3.

Then on Sunday, officers patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station spoke to the same man about 5.50pm and say he was again not wearing a mask and making the same remarks about the virus.

He was arrested for a second time and charged with not wearing a fitted face covering on public transport/taxi and breach of bail.

He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Monday.

A number of NSW residents were fined for breaching the Public Health Act for not wearing a mask. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

The man was one of several people who allegedly breached the Public Health Act over the weekend.

Police issued 9 Penalty Infringement Notices across the state from Friday to Sunday, mostly for refusing to wear a mask in public.

Offenders included two men, aged 28 and 65, who allegedly became aggressive and argumentative towards police, claiming the public health order was a human rights violation.

NSW Police said the men refused to comply and were both fined $200.

In a separate incident, a 46-year-old man who was not wearing a mask was questioned by police at Parramatta Railway Station.

He allegedly told officers he wasn’t going to wear a mask “as it wouldn’t affect anyone”.

Further inquiries revealed he had been issued four prior warnings for not wearing a fitted face covering and was fined $200.

Police caught several people not wearing face masks over the weekend, including a man at Parramatta Railway Station. Picture: Damian Hofman

A 16-year-old boy who allegedly assaulted someone at a Wetherill Park shopping centre while not wearing a mask was charged with offences including affray.

Also, at a gathering at Bondi where about 20 people were spotted on a balcony and another 10 more were inside, a number of attendees jumped over a fence and ran from the property after seeing officers.

Only 11 attendees were intercepted at the front door by officers and each fined $1000.