Coronavirus Australia: 12 people supposed to be self-isolating in Vic not home during checks, NSW first infrigements issued

A Sydney massage parlour owner is among the first in NSW to cop a $5000 fine, while three staff members have also received coronavirus infringements.

A Sydney massage parlour owner has copped a $5000 fine after the business was caught operating in a NSW police patrol.

Three staff members from the massage parlour, along with a returned traveller from the Lake Macquarie area, make up the first individuals and business in NSW to receive infringements for failing to adhere to coronvirus rules.

NSW Police said in a statement on Thursday officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting a patrol in the Sydney CBD “as part of a proactive police operation to ensure individuals and businesses were complying with all ministerial directions related to COVID-19”.

The fines come following amendments to the Public Health Act.

During the patrol, police discovered a massage parlour, located on Sussex Street in Sydney’s CBD, was still operating, “contrary to a Public Health Order”.

“Officers spoke with the female owner of the business and issued her with a $5000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for failing to comply with a direction under Section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW).”

Three female staff members were also issued with $1000 PINs.

In a separate incident, a 65-year-old woman received a $1000 PIN for failing to self-isolate at home.

Police said last Saturday (21 March), the woman arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Bali.

“She was advised she was subject to a Public Health Order and was required to quarantine for a 14-day period.

“After receiving information that the woman had contravened the order, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended her Redhead home about midday on Monday (23 March) and issued her with a warning for breaching the order.

“Police received further information that the woman had left her home during the morning on Thursday 26 March and was in breach of the order.

“About 1.45pm, officers returned to the woman’s home and issued her with a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with a direction under Section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW).

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said the rules could not be clearer and they apply to everyone.

“No one is above the law. If you decide to ignore a direction, you will be caught, and you may very well find yourself slapped with a hefty fine,” the Minister said.

“The fact that people are still not complying is the reason why we have police out in full force enforcing these directions.

“This behaviour is not only reckless and stupid, but potentially deadly.”

NSW Police officers now have the additional power to issue Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) to anyone found to be in contravention of a ministerial direction under the Public Health Act.

PINs carry on-the-spot fines of $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.

12 PEOPLE NOT HOME DURING SELF-ISOLATION CHECKS

Police have confirmed 12 people were not at home during random self-isolation checks in Victoria on Thursday.

Police told news.com.au that as of 9pm Wednesday, 88 spot checks were completed since Saturday, March 21 and while 75 people were at home, 12 were not.

The outstanding check was due to an incorrect address.

On Tuesday, Victoria Police established a dedicated operation to enforce containment measures put in place to combat the spread of coronavirus, dubbed Operation Sentinel.

The checks are targeted towards returning travellers who should be practising self isolation while police will also follow up tips received from the general public and other sources.

It will also enforce bans on indoor and outdoor gatherings at non-essential venues and businesses.

A woman who has been accused of flouting self-isolation restrictions has told the Herald Sun: “I’ll tell you what, if we lived in Box Hill and I’d been to Bali no-one would care, would they?”

— Benita Kolovos 🧼🧴 (@benitakolovos) March 26, 2020

Victoria Police said that in the majority of instances the spot checks are performed in person, however, it also has the ability to perform spot checks via online technology such as FaceTime.

RELATED: Follow more coronavirus news

“Police will proactively patrol places of mass gathering such as beaches and shopping centres to ensure restrictions are being complied with,” a statement read.

A team of 500 police from Transit, the Public Order Response Team (PORT), and police across Victoria have been tasked with performing the checks and enforce bans.

Victoria's police chief has revealed at least half a dozen people supposed to be self-isolating haven't even been home when officers have attempted to conduct spot checks. @LauraTurner_9 #9News pic.twitter.com/gqtAbmylsD

— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) March 26, 2020

Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said situations would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and “police have a range of options available to deal with those who refuse to follow the directions of the Chief Health Officer”.

“People can be issued with an official warning, directed to return home, or charged on summons where a person repeatedly refuses to obey a direction or blatantly disregards the restrictions. People can also face heavy fines,” Mr Nugent said.

“We are urging people to take the restrictions seriously and do the right thing – don’t be selfish is our message.

“For police, it’s not just about fines or arrests but ensuring everyone in the community understands the serious risks associated with coronavirus and the importance of complying with the directions from the Chief Health Officer.

“We know this is a challenging time for everyone and we’ll be asking our officers to use a commonsense approach when dealing with these matters.

“Already we have seen a degree of ignorance where people think it’s okay to just go out for a breakfast or to see a friend when it’s absolutely not.

“We also want to take advantage of Operational Sentinel to engage with the community, provide any further education around current requirements, and do everything we can to protect the safety of all Victorians.

“It gives police the opportunity to check on the health and wellbeing of those in self isolation, and see if they need any further support such as medical assistance.

“So far, people are for the most part complying with the restrictions. We want to ensure that continues and people are showing each other the right amount of respect.

“People who ignore the restrictions are placing others at significant risk, which means more people will become infected. This includes their family, friends and others in the community.”

Cleaning crew sanitise surfaces in the Melbourne's CBD. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos speaks to the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Thursday, March 26, 2020. Picture: Stefan Postles

A third person died from coronavirus in Victoria on Thursday, bringing the total national death toll to 12.

The state’s Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said a man in his 70s has died in a Melbourne hospital.

This follows the deaths of two other men in their 70s in Melbourne overnight.

“I am urging everyone to respect the privacy of the families during this difficult time,” Ms Mikakos said.

“We all have a role to play in the fight against coronavirus and this means we must all take very seriously the message that we must stay home unless it is absolutely essential to leave your home, you must stay at home at every opportunity.”

So far 520 Victorians have been diagnosed with COVID-19, with 14 people in hospital, including three in intensive care.