Coronavirus: cops in the park, now Diggers at the door

Soldiers helped doorknock hundreds of Sydney homes as NSW police continued a crackdown on self-isolation ­requirements.

NSW police officers and members of the Australian Defence Force undertaking random self-isolation checks in Sydney. Source: NSWPF

The army has stepped up its commit­ment in the war against coronavirus, and those breaching quarantine conditions, with soldier­s accompanying police as they go door-to-door to ensure people are obeying lockdown laws.

On Wednesday, soldiers helped doorknock hundreds of homes in Sydney’s CBD and surrounding suburbs as NSW police continued a crackdown on self-isolation ­requirements. Riot squads were also deployed to parks and beaches to try to enforce the government’s two-person rule.

A police spokesman said the Australian Defence Force personnel were under the command of the police, were not armed and had no “additional powers”.

NSW police officers ask a woman to move on while on patrol at Rushcutters Bay. Picture: AAP

The soldiers­ were helping police who were conducting random checks on those in self-isolation­ or quarantine after ­returning from overseas.

Defence COVID-19 taskforce commander Lieutenant General John Frewen said 750 personnel would be deployed across Aust­ralia to “assist with compliance checks”. “When requested, we will be assisting the states and territ­ories in two ways: by supporting mandatory quarantine arrangements for air arrivals into Aust­ralia and by checking self-isolation orders are being followed in homes,” General Frewen said.

He said the ADF did not have law-enforcement powers. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said: “Defence will provide customised support to state and territory authorities, to reinforce and expand their capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The deserted Westfield shopping centre in Chatswood. Picture: Britta Campion

Following the introduction of rules banning gatherings of more than two people and all non-­essential activities, it appeared the state was in lockdown. Normally, Malouf’s Manly Pharmacy wouldn’t attract much attention, but it was one of the only stores still open in the coastal suburb’s Corso on Wednesday.

“(There’s) nothing like an $11,000 fine and six-month prison sentence to scare the northern beaches into hibernation,” Manly resident Fergus Buncle said.

A police spokesman said at least three people had been served with penalty infringement notices, including a 39-year-old man who was washing car windscreens at an intersection in Chester Hill in the city’s west.

A 57-year-old man was issued with a notice on Tuesday afternoon after allegedly becoming abusive and refusing to move on after police found him drinking alcoho­l with three friends outside a closed hotel in Bankstown.

In Parkes, in the state’s west, a 26-year-old man was also charged after allegedly refusing to leave when police tried to disperse a gathering outside a house.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said officers would continue to crack down on those flouting the laws. “One of the most important powers police have is the power of discretion,” he said. ­“Additional powers have been introduced with good reason and I encourage my officers to use them in the spirit in which they were intended­ — to keep the people of NSW safe throughout this crisis.

“I’d encourage people to continue to do the right thing without the need for police involvement and the use of these new powers.

“A good rule of thumb is that if you are questioning whether you should be doing something, it is best to give it a miss.”