Two people fined for venturing more than 40km into COVID-19 hotspot without excuse

Two people have been fined after venturing far from their homes into Sydney’s COVID-19 hotspot without a good enough reason.

Two people have been fined for entering a COVID-19 hotspot without a good enough reason. Picture: Damian Shaw

Two people have been fined for venturing into Sydney’s northern beaches without a reasonable excuse.

A 60-year-old Padstow man and 39-year-old Bankstown woman were spotted by patrols along East Esplanade at Manly just after 4pm on Sunday.

Both Bankstown and Padstow are more than 40km from Manly.

NSW Police say they did not have a lawful excuse or exemption for being in the hotspot area and were both issued Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) over the alleged breaches of the Public Health Act.

They were also directed to leave the area.

Police continue to patrol the northern beaches area.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian issued a five-day ‘stay at home’ directive on the weekend, which will be reviewed on Wednesday, to residents in the hotspot zone as COVID-19 cases continued to mount.

She also urged other Sydneysiders to stay at home unless it was absolutely necessary.

“Please don't leave your home unless you have to,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Obviously do the basics you need to do, move around as you would, do not go to the northern beaches if you live outside the northern beaches, unless you absolutely, absolutely must, and limit your activity.”

Police urge the public to report suspected breaches of COVID-19 directions or behaviour that may affect public health.

Anyone with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.