NT Police could request for restrictions to be tightened if Territorians don’t abide by rules, says Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage

THE onus is on the public to do the right thing or police could request for coronavirus restrictions to be tightened in the Territory, says NT Police Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage.

The onus is on the public to do the right thing or coronavirus restrictions could be tightened in the Territory, says NT Police Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage. Picture: Che Chorley

THE onus is on the public to do the right thing or police could request for coronavirus restrictions to be tightened in the Territory, says NT Police Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage.

His comments come as NT pubs, restaurants and cafes prepare to reopen their doors and welcome patrons to sit down for a meal and a drink for a maximum of two hours.

“By and large we are appealing to people to do the right thing. This is an easing that we have been waiting for, we’re all looking forward to it, don’t abuse it,” he said.

“I think there’s going to be a high degree for trust, quite frankly I don’t think we are going to see police officers sitting at every licenced premises across the Territory, however by random patrols and compliance checks, we will be checking but we are going to ask and expect that licensees do the right thing.”

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He said businesses, like individuals, would cop a fine if caught flouting the COVID-19 restrictions.

“I imagine they would face the same penalties that everyone else in the community (does), so infringements that we currently have,” he said.

The penalty at the moment is a $1099 fine.

He said there had been no discussion on whether a business would be forced to shut down for failing to comply.

“We haven’t confronted that yet and we will cross the bridge when we get to it,” he said.

He said if the community could not do the right thing, police would request restrictions be tightened.

“We hope and expect people to do the right thing and if they don’t then there will be an opportunity for the police to make a representation to the government and the Chief Health Office to take things back to the way they were,” he said.

“So a word of caution to everybody, please enjoy them, make the most of them, but do the right thing. It’s up to you.”

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said while he supported authorities doing what they could to make venues as safe as possible, tightening restrictions wouldn’t help the local economy.

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“We support the Chief Minister’s comments that, god forbid there was an outbreak, the focus is to track and trace and attack the outbreak rather than returning to job destroying complete lockdowns,” he said.

“We fully support the strong actions taken by health and police in keeping Territorians safe. Territorians have done the right thing and deserve being given greater control over their own lives.”