Six more people fined for flouting COVID-19 quarantine to do taxes, walk to cure a headache
A MAN who left his place of quarantine to get his taxes done and another who went for a walk to cure a headache are among six people who have been fined for breaching mandatory coronavirus quarantine rules in the past two days.
Northern Territory
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A MAN who left his place of quarantine to get his taxes done and another who left to go for a walk to cure a headache are among six people who have been fined for breaching mandatory coronavirus quarantine rules in the past two days.
NT Police report that a 41-year-old man who arrived by road from South Australia initially travelled to a remote Central Australian community and was later transferred to Alice Springs where he was supposed to complete his quarantine in a hotel.
However, he was found away from his place of quarantine and told authorities he had left because he was getting his tax done.
Meanwhile a 28-year-old man was supposed to be completing quarantine in Darwin when a compliance check confirmed he was not at home.
He returned when contacted by the compliance team and told them he had gone for a walk because he had a headache.
He was apologetic and admitted he had done the wrong thing.
Police also report that a 26-year-old woman who arrived from NSW and was supposed to be undertaking quarantine in Darwin was found on the Tiwi Islands.
When spoken to, she said she believed it was better for her to be in a place where she had her own room and facilities rather than at a home in Darwin.
She has been returned to Darwin to restart her 14-day quarantine.
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A 22-year-old man who arrived by road from South Australia was located at a service station in Alice Springs when he was supposed to be in quarantine.
He told police he had also travelled to Tennant Creek.
A 34-year-old woman was reported to have breached quarantine by attending an entertainment venue in Darwin.
A 54-year-old man was also supposed to be completing his quarantine at a nominated address in Katherine but was found to have left to attend a sporting event.
Incident Controller Commander Matthew Hollamby was authorities were disappointed by the lack of compliance with quarantine requirements.
“This continued reckless disregard by a small number of people risks undoing all of the hard work to keep this virus at bay in the NT," he said.
“The vast majority of people in quarantine are doing the right thing, and we thank them for that.
“But it only takes one person to put everything at risk. We’re seeing what’s happening interstate and overseas – now is not the time to get complacent or disregard instructions. We need to follow the rules and guidance set by our health experts.”
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NT Police and Environment Health Officers continue to undertake compliance activities.
26,563 compliance checks have now been completed and 138 fines issued.
The penalty for failing to abide by the Chief Health Officer Directions issued under section 56 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 is $1106 for an individual and $5530 for a business.
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