Police have charged a Victorian man with breaching a Public Health Order after he allegedly flew from Melbourne to Sydney without a permit to enter NSW.
Just before 1pm yesterday, officers deployed at Sydney Airport for Operation Coronavirus were requested to assist NSW Health, who were talking with a man who had just arrived on a flight from Melbourne.
Police were told the 21-year-old man from Roxbough Park, Victoria, was unable to produce a NSW Health exemption.
It’s alleged that the man made a number of applications for a permit and had provided false information.
After establishing that the man did not have a valid reason to be in NSW, police directed him to return to Victoria. He was offered options for travel and further assistance from NSW Health.
Police say the man refused to return to Victoria and was subsequently arrested.
During a search of the man and his bags, officers also located a bottle of alprazolam, which was not prescribed to him.
He was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and possess prescribed restricted substance.
The man was granted conditional bail but is required to quarantine in a Health-managed hotel until he appears at Downing Centre Local Court on 17 August.
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.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers:Â https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.