Northern Territory Police have issued four infringement notices for failing to abide by the Chief Health Officer Directions issued under section 56 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 2011.
On Monday 22 June 2020, compliance teams were conducting a number of checks on people who entered the Territory after the easing of quarantine restrictions, allowing people to nominate a place of quarantine rather than hotel accommodation.
A 30-year-old woman was found in Ngukurr, working at a community store. She entered the Territory on 16 June 2020 after travelling from Melbourne via Brisbane. She was conveyed to Katherine to complete her quarantine and issued a fine.
A 20-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man were both absent from their homes at the time of checks. They were contacted by Police and were unable to provide a lawful justification as to why they were not quarantining.
A 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman travelled to the NT on 19 June 2020 from Melbourne. They were granted an exemption for work purposes, to collect a vehicle and then leave the NT, under the condition that while not at work they were subject to quarantine.
It was brought to the attention of police that the pair had attended a boat cruise in Kakadu National Park while not working. Police contacted the 47-year-old man, who had already left the NT, and advised he would receive an infringement notice in the mail.
Police are still trying to contact the 54-year-old woman to issue her an infringement notice as well.
Acting Commander Shaun Gill said, “It’s extremely disappointing that people have become so complacent with the easing of the quarantine restrictions.
“We are still in a health emergency situation and the threat of COVID-19 returning to the NT is very real, even more so with the borders opening on 17 July.
“Police are strongly urging people to abide by the rules in place and to not put other Territorians lives at risk, particularly our more vulnerable remote population. Travelling to a remote community when you are supposed to be in quarantine could potentially have a disastrous impact and devastate a community.”
The infringement penalty for an individual is $1,099 and $5,495 for a business.
NT Police and Environmental Health Officers continue to undertake compliance activities.
17,825 compliance checks have now been completed and 75 fines issued.
For information on the changes of quarantine requirements, visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au.
