Police have issued ten 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 Friday 17 April 2020, police attended two residences in Tennant Creek due to reports of social-gatherings.
Upon arrival at the residences, police seized a large quantity of alcohol and dispersed the groups. The two primary occupants of the properties, a 29-year-old male and a 43-year old female, were issued with infringement notices.
At 9:40pm, police attended a hotel in Jabiru following reports of a large social-gathering. Five people, aged between 27 and 63, were issued with infringement notices for failing to leave the location after being directed to by police.
A short time later, police responded to a breach of a biosecurity checkpoint approximately 20km from Alice Springs. Two males travelled from their remote community to Alice Springs and were attempting to return home when they drove through the checkpoint. Police intercepted the vehicle and the occupants were unable to provide the authorised paperwork allowing them to return to their community.
The 21-year-old male driver was issued an infringement notice and both occupants of the vehicle were conveyed back to Alice Springs to quarantine.
On Saturday 18 April 2020, police conveyed a 21-year old female and a 25-year old male to Howard Springs quarantine facility after failing to quarantine at a hotel in Katherine.
The couple had travelled from Western Australia and directed to quarantine for a 14-day period. On multiple occasions the couple were found to be leaving their accommodation and residing with family at a different location. Under the direction of the Chief Health Officer, police conveyed the couple from Katherine to Darwin to complete their required quarantine period.
All ten people were issued with an infringement penalty of $1,099 and referred to Environmental Health Officers to conduct a further risk assessment to determine if contact tracing is required.
NT Police, Public and Environmental Health officers and Australian Defence Force continue to undertake quarantine compliance checks to ensure people are completing their 14 days quarantine.
5,756 compliance checks have now been completed with 41 fines issued.
