Pair who spent time in Victorian hot spot charged after ‘lying’ on NT border forms

POLICE have charged two people after they allegedly lied on their border forms, saying they hadn’t been to a Victorian hot spot when they allegedly had

Police have charged two people after they allegedly lied on their border forms when they entered the NT. Picture: Emma Murray

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POLICE have charged two people after they allegedly lied on their border forms, saying they hadn’t been to a Victorian hot spot when they allegedly had.

A 36-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man entered the NT from Queensland through the Barkly Hwy border control checkpoint on July 31.

Both parties listed a location in NSW as their only destination in the last 28 days prior to arrival.

NT Police said it was later identified they had been in a Victorian hotspot before entering the NT.

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The pair will face court on November 14, 2020.

Incident Controller acting Commander Sachin Sharma said there was zero tolerance for providing false information to police about your travel arrangements.

“Police and our partnered agencies will continue to take all necessary actions to ensure the wellbeing and safety of Territorians.

“We encourage co-operation from the public but will enforce all CHO (Chief Health Officer) directions to ensure compliance.

“The majority of those who have entered the Northern Territory have followed the advice of authorities.”

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NT Police and Environmental Health Officers continue to undertake compliance activities.

The infringement penalty for failing to abide by the Chief Health Officer Directions issued under section 56 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 is $5056 for an individual and $25,280 for a business.

More than 32,000 compliance checks have now been completed and 150 fines issued.

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