Six men have been fined a total of $7,200 for breaching COVID-19 health orders after they travelled to Lake Macquarie from Western Sydney to undertake tree lopping services – with one of the men later hospitalised after contracting the virus.
Police say that on July 20, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended a holiday rental property on Yanko Street, Toronto, following reports the group of men had travelled there from the Sydney hotspot location.
Six men – aged between 17 and 59 – told police they had been in the area prior to ‘Stay at Home’ orders being put in place in Greater Sydney and did not intend to return until restrictions lifted.
“Further inquiries were conducted in relation to any breaches of the Public Health Order,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“On Tuesday 31 August, police were called to an apartment complex in Charlestown after being alerted by NSW Health that a 59-year-old man displaying COVID-19 symptoms had been taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment and a 23-year-old man had left to obtain a COVID-19 test.”
It was later confirmed that the older man had tested positive for COVID-19. Police say that all of the other men had left the Charlestown apartment prior to the arrival of officers.
Five of the men were issued with seven $1000 PINs for failing to comply with COVID health directions.
An 18-year-old man was also issued with a $200 PIN for failing to wear a fitted face covering in an indoor area-non-residential premises during an unrelated incident at a shopping centre on July 29.
“Inquiries are ongoing, anyone who wishes to report an alleged breach of the Public Health Orders is urged to contact Crime Stoppers,” Police said.
Anyone with information in relation to breaches of the Public Health Orders is urged to contact Crime Stoppers:Â https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
