NT Police fine man for repeatedly refusing to wear a mask

NT Police have fined a man for repeatedly refusing to wear a mask during lockdown before it emerged he may have had a mental health condition.

NT Police have fined a man for repeatedly refusing to wear a mask during lockdown before it emerged he may have had a mental health condition.

NT Police have fined a man for repeatedly refusing to wear a mask during lockdown before it emerged he may have had a mental health condition.

The 33-year-old Alice Springs man was spotted by council rangers near the post office at about 2.40pm on Wednesday and advised he needed to wear a mask but refused and allegedly became abusive.

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When police arrived he continued to refuse to don a mask and was arrested and issued with an infringement notice and a mask before being released.

At about 6.30pm that night he was again spotted in public without a mask and again refused to wear one but this time “displayed signs of a mental health condition”.

Incident controller acting commander Sachin Sharma said instead of issuing another infringement, police called an ambulance and the man was taken to hospital.

“We remind all residents affected by the lockdown that masks are a legal requirement when outside your homes, even for exercise,” he said.

“If you have a medical condition and you are unable to wear a mask, please don’t go out.

“Consider seeking assistance from family or household members to access essential goods and services or call the Covid lockdown advice hotline for assistance on 1800 193 111.

Cmdr Sharma reminded Territorians that providing care was one of the accepted reasons for leaving your home.

“The NT police will continue to enforce all chief health officer’s directions with a zero tolerance approach for the sake of community safety,” he said.

The penalty for failing to abide by the directions is $5056 for an individual and $25,280 for a business.

For more information on Covid-19 visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au