Dozens of COVID-19 hot spot rule dodgers being investigated by NT Police after compliance blitz

Up to 38 potential COVID-19 rule dodgers are facing fines of $5000 apiece after a compliance blitz by NT authorities on arrivals from declared hot spots.

UP to 38 potential COVID-19 rule dodgers are facing fines of $5000 apiece after a compliance blitz by NT authorities on arrivals from declared hot spots.

NT Police confirmed it was investigating up to 38 potential breaches of self-isolation since greater Melbourne and Melbourne Airport were declared as COVID-19 hot spots on Friday.

More than a thousand people in the Northern Territory were ordered to self-isolate and get tested for coronavirus after authorities made the unique decision to declare Melbourne Airport and greater Melbourne a hot spot.

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Under the hot spot rules, anyone who had arrived from greater Melbourne or had been through Melbourne Airport between February 7 and the hot spot declaration had to self-isolate until they returned a negative coronavirus test.

Authorities have conducted 270 compliance checks since Friday, with an additional 38 requiring investigation.

A 31-year-old man who had arrived in Darwin from Melbourne on February 11 was missing from his nominated place of self-isolation on Sunday and was later slapped with a $5056 fine.

“The chief health officer Directions are not issued lightly. They are made with the safety of both Territorians and travellers in mind. If you are under a direction to self-isolate, compliance officers will come knocking at your door. You will be fined if you are found in breach of the direction,” Incident Controller Acting Commander Scott Pollock said.

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