Five people have been fined this week by Monaro Police District officers after being found 500km from their homes in Greater Sydney during the city’s COVID-19 lockdown.
NSW Police said the Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued for failing to comply with Public Health Orders (PHOs), which prevents residents from the Greater Sydney region from leaving the area without a reasonable excuse.
Monaro PD Commander, Superintendent John Klepczarek, said now was not the time for people in locked-down areas to be travelling to the state’s south.
“If you are from an area covered under the Public Health Order, you cannot leave your home without a valid reason,” Supt Klepczarek said, “Going on holiday is not a valid reason.”
Three men from Sydney aged 34, 37 and 38, were fined for breaching the current PHO, after being stopped by police near Perisher Valley on Monday, while a 28-year-old woman and 40-year-old man – both from Sydney’s eastern Suburbs – were issued with PINs yesterday, when they couldn’t provide police with a reasonable excuse for leaving their Sydney home.
The five were detected as part of Operation Snow Safe’s liquor licensing enforcement checks aimed at deterring anti-social behaviour, and ensuring people are adhering to current health directives. The checks have been ongoing since the start of the 2021 snow season in the Monaro Police District.
Several licensees in the Snowy Mountains area have also been issued with fines for licensing breaches and COVID-19 non-compliance.
“A licensing breach was detected during an inspection of a motel on Friday Drive in Thredbo Village on Saturday 19 June 2021, with police alleging the business owner also failed to comply with a noticed direction yesterday, the licensee, a 63-year-old woman, was issued with two infringements,” NSW Police said.
A hotel in McLure Circuit, Jindabyne, also allegedly failed to comply with conditions of its liquor licence last week, with the 54-year-old male licensee fined.
“A notice to produce – under the Gaming and Racing and Liquor Administration Act – was issued upon the licensee of a hotel on Kosciuszko Road, following intoxicated patrons on Wednesday 16 June 2021. The licensee was issued infringements.”
“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.”
NSW Police says further licensing and COVID-compliance checks are planned for the Alpine region.
