13,400 compliance checks undertaken as police crack down on quarantine dodgers

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, police are ramping up compliance checks, with new powers to issue on-the-spot fines to anyone found in breach of Public Health and Emergency directives.

DESPITE coronavirus restrictions easing this week, police have reinforced they are still undertaking compliance checks.

Since March 25 when quarantine mandates came into place police have conducted 13,400 checks.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said police have had help from the SES, Tasmanian Fire Service and the Australian Defence Force.

All non-essential travellers arriving in Tasmania are still required to enter quarantine for 14 days, but the changes to restrictions mean Tasmanian residents returning to the state are now able to quarantine at their primary residence.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Jonathan Higgins says police have conducted more than 13,000 compliance checks since the end of March. Picture: Chris Kidd

“For those of you who are required to quarantine at home, expect a phone call and a visit by police, TFS, SES or ADF personnel to check your identification,” Commissioner Higgins said.

“So far, there have been more than 3700 compliance checks carried out in the South, 2700 in the North and 7000 in the North West.

“While the vast majority of Tasmanians continue to do the right thing by keeping their physical distance and there have been encouraging signs in our state, now is not the time to be complacent about COVID-19.

“If it’s busy when you arrive to go shopping or exercise in a public area – go back later when there are fewer people around.”

From tomorrow, police will be able to issue on the spot fines for the existing offences under the Public Health and Emergency Management acts.

Previously, police were only able to warn people, summons them to a court date in the future or make an arrest.

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“While infringement notices give us another option – our aim is to encourage compliance through education in the first instance by providing advice about the restrictions,” Commissioner Higgins said.

“We’re finding that the vast majority of Tasmanians want to do the right thing and comply with the restrictions to stop the spread of the virus in our community.”