Tougher penalties for ‘covidiots’ coming soon, Chief Minister Michael Gunner warns

NUMPTIES who breach quarantine rules should expect tougher penalties soon, as Chief Minister Michael Gunner flags he is considering harsher punishment once borders relax on July 17.

• NT declares Greater Sydney hotspot, travellers to be forcibly quarantined from Friday, July 17
• Legal hurdles prevent NT taking harsher border measures, government says

NUMPTIES who breach quarantine rules should expect tougher penalties soon, as Chief Minister Michael Gunner flags he is considering harsher punishment once borders relax on July 17.

Dozens of people have been caught by authorities breaching quarantine rules, including a Driver man who was found flouting the law three times.

Mr Gunner said recent breaches were unacceptable and “dumb” but overall are of a low risk to Territorians due to where those people are from.

Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie explained this further saying, “if somebody has come from or been to a place where there’s no coronavirus, and yes, they have been non-compliant, then the risk to Territorians is actually low”.

“Of course, some people don’t seem to think that the financial penalty is worrisome for them.

“I would ask them, if their behaviour contributed to a single death in the territory, how the territory feel about that behaviour.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie will announce what areas in NSW have been declared COVID-19 hotspots.

Posted by The NT News on Tuesday, 14 July 2020

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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 $1,106 for an individual and $5,530 for a business.

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