NT Police fine man who entered the NT on foot $5000 for not filing border entry forms

A man who entered the NT on foot has been fined $5000 for not filing Covid border entry forms.

TWO men, including one who entered the Territory on foot, have been handed $5024 Covid-19 fines for failing to complete border entry forms.

NT Police said members patrolling the Central Arnhem Hwy near Maranboy on Wednesday found a man walking along the road.

Upon stopping and speaking with him, the man revealed he had entered the NT on foot somewhere near Borroloola with the intention of exploring Arnhem Land.

Police gave him an fine for failing to complete a border entry form and helped him to complete the necessary paperwork before giving him a lift to Katherine at his request.

In a second incident police found a man who entered the NT by road near Alpurrurulam, who had also not lodged a border entry form.

He was fined and police advised his employer to ensure all staff were aware of the requirement to complete the forms on entry to the Territory.

Incident Controller Sachin Sharma said neither man had travelled from a declared hotspot.

“All arrivals into the NT, regardless of the means of entry or point of origin, are required to lodge a Border Entry Form,” he said.

“As these incidents show, not everyone who enters the Territory is aware or compliant with the rules.

“If you are planning to come to the NT, it is imperative that you check for restrictions and requirements by visiting coronavirus.nt.gov.au before you travel. The Emergency Operation Centre Investigation Cell, Operation Crown Officers and the Officers from the Environmental Health will continue to conduct compliance investigations with zero tolerance approach.”

The penalty for failing to abide by the Chief Health Officer Directions issued under section 56 of the Public and Environment Health Act 2011 is $5024 for an individual (32 penalty units) and $25,120 for a business (160 penalty units).