More than 300 Tasmanians hit with COVID breach penalties

Hundreds of Tasmanians have been charged or summonsed after allegedly breaching coronavirus regulations.

MORE than 300 charges and summonses have been issued in Tasmania for breaches of COVID-19 regulations.

Penalties for disobeying coronavirus restrictions were adopted in March, with the charge of failing to comply with a lawful direction introduced.

Tasmania Police said 332 charges and summonses had been issued since March 25 for breaches of those rules, with 18 fines and cautions handed out.

TWO CHARGED WITH DODGING QUARANTINE RESTRICTIONS

Since May, police have been able to issue on-the-spot fines for people not complying with the COVID-19 laws. Previously, they could only warn alleged offenders, summons them to a court date or make an arrest under the legislation.

A Tasmania Police spokeswoman said the coronavirus pandemic had been an unprecedented situation and the first time these powers had been enacted, with a review of charges ongoing.

Police said they had issued two caution infringements to businesses for non-compliant gatherings, plus several ­warnings.

A Department of Justice spokesman said WorkSafe Tasmania inspectors were visiting businesses and had responded to complaints.