A travel company has been fined $5,000 for breaching a public health order after taking three busloads of tourists to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in the state’s west yesterday.
Police say the three buses arrived at the Dubbo zoo at around 9.30am on Monday. On board were 128 staff and guests – at least 76 of whom were not permitted to travel outside Greater Sydney under the current public health order.
“Staff at the zoo refused to allow the travellers off the buses and police were called,” NSW Police said in a statement today.
“Officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District attended and spoke to tour operators, establishing the group had left Sydney last Friday and had continued to travel throughout regional NSW after the Public Health Orders were updated on Saturday.”
The guests were directed to return home immediately and the tour company has been issued a $5000 PIN.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said the company owner told police he was aware of the public health orders but decided to continue the tour as planned anyway.
“But the staff at the zoo did exactly the right thing – they isolated the risk and alerted police. They did a great job to protect the local community,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
Investigations into further possible breaches are continuing.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott said now was a crucial time for NSW and it was disappointing to see people continuing to breach the health orders.
“I would appeal to everyone to not only follow the rules but use your common sense and do your bit to help NSW beat this virus,” Minister Elliott said.
In other incidents, a man and woman have been charged with offences including assault after they allegedly refused to check in with a QR code when entering a restaurant at Forster.
The couple attended the Wharf Street restaurant last night and were asked by staff to sign in using the QR code.
“They refused and were informed they would have to leave if they did not comply. It is alleged the man again refused and picked up a bottle of water and threw it against a wall, smashing it,” police said.
“The man was escorted from the restaurant and it is further alleged the man punched the owner, a 39-year-old man.
“The woman allegedly bit a 44-year-old man who was attempting to intervene, causing bleeding and bruising to his bicep. The owner sustained facial injuries and a suspected broken nose and was taken to Manning Base Hospital.”
The man and woman left the restaurant but were arrested both a short time later. The 34-year-old man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, intimidation and malicious damage.
The 27-year-old woman was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. They were granted conditional bail and are expected to appear in Forster Local Court on July 28.
They were each issued $1000 PINs for fail to comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
In total, 34 PINs were issued yesterday and of those 16 were $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
