Most Tasmanians do right thing and stay home over Easter

The vast majority of Tasmanians have done the right thing by their fellow Tasmanians and stayed home to save lives over the Easter break.

Police report that over the Easter break there were 31 summons and 41 arrests for breach of the directions of the Director of Public Health, and about 250 advice and warnings issued.

A total of 11 people were directed to move on from a residence where they were not permitted to be residing, and 10 people were directed to leave a municipal area they were not permitted to be while launching their boat.

“It seems that most of the community acted responsibly over the Easter break, now is not the time to become complacent,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins.

“More than ever, we are asking Tasmanians to stay home to save lives.

“With the additional stronger restrictions on retail activity now in place in the North West – there are fewer reasons to leave your home.”

Police are continuing to use significant resources to ensure compliance of the restrictions, including numerous patrols, with covert and marked vehicles and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in the north west.

“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,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner Higgins.

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

Under the Public Health and Emergency Management Acts, there are penalties of up to 100 penalty units ($16,800) or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months for failing to comply with a lawful requirement or direction of an authorised officer.

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