Police patrols to support additional measures in the North-West

Empty campgrounds and very little traffic showed most Tasmanians stayed at home this Easter, but there were a few notable exceptions.

A surveillance flight conducted by Tasmania Police in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Picture: TASMANIA POLICE

TASMANIA Police made six more arrests on Easter Sunday, but all were allegedly committing other crimes when also charged with COVID-19 compliance breaches.

In one instance, police intercepted two men who had undertaken a nearly 500km return trip from Railton to Strahan, via Rosebery, to purchase a car for sale on the side of the road.

The pair stopped twice for fuel and coffee.

While this was deemed an unnecessary trip and the men are being proceeded against for several offences, Acting Deputy Commission Jonathan Higgins said most Tasmanians were heeding the health advice and staying home.

“It seems that most of the community is acting responsibility, and we thank them for their compliance,” he said.

“However, there are still examples of people taking risks and selfishly ignoring the restrictions.”

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter over Boat Harbour Beach. Picture: TASMANIA POLICE

Holiday hot spots and campgrounds were almost empty. Picture: TASMANIA POLICE

The six arrests follow the charging or ordering home of more than 100 others by police over the long weekend.

Thirty seven people were charged or summonsed for overstepping movement boundaries, and another 79 warned to return to their primary residence.

“There was next to nobody at campgrounds, which are usually full, and much less traffic on the road,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Higgins said.

“The only people on the Bruny Island ferry were residents of the island.

“In the more remote areas, the helicopter was particularly helpful as it can cover large areas quickly.”

There will continue to be an increased police presence in the North-West as that region deals with a concentrated coronavirus outbreak among health staff and patients at its hospitals.

“We will be carrying out compliance checks in both marked and covert cars,” he said.

“This is a very serious situation for the North-West community and this is a significant opportunity, over the next two weeks, to stop the spread of the virus by simply staying home.

“If you are not impacted by the new quarantine requirements, and you need to leave your home for essential purposes, then expect to be stopped and questioned by police about your movements.”

Police still conducted regular road safety checks over the long weekend and a handful of Tasmanians were charged with drink and drug driving infringements.

“But all in all it has been very quiet on the roads. The public are heeding warnings and we want that to continue,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Higgins said.

“We need people to ensure they are not travelling out of area.”