A 50-year-old man has been caught hiding behind a shower curtain as police raided a Sydney party as part of COVID-19 compliance operations across NSW.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, said high-visibility police operations would continue across the state, as Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed another 77 positive cases this morning.
“By the accounts of police on the ground yesterday, there were high levels of compliance across Sydney’s south-west, which is promising for reducing the risk of contracting COVID in those areas,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys (pictured) said.
“As we have seen an increase of cases in other areas, including Sutherland and Hurstville, we will be allocating resources to ensure compliance in those areas and surrounds.”
Police operations in Sydney’s CBD included conducting guest compliance checks at hotels and last night, six guests at a hotel on Kent Street were found to be in breach of the current public health orders.
“Disappointingly, we did see some concerning incidents of people flouting the rules – including a gathering at a home at Randwick and a birthday party at The Entrance,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
“This type of behaviour is nothing short of disrespectful – we’ve already seen how easily the virus spread following the unlawful party at Waterloo.”
On Friday, officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended a home on Arthur Street in Randwick, after being told of a potential gathering that contravened current public health restrictions.
“Police spoke with two men outside the property, one of whom said he was delivering a package, but did not have a package,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“A total of eight men – aged between 31 and 50 – were located around the home, including one man hiding behind a shower curtain in the bathroom.”
Inquiries revealed three men were residents, while the other five resided in Sydney’s south west.
“As all were breaching current Public Health Orders, all eight were issued $1000 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs), with the five non-residents sent home.”
In total, 167 PINs were issued on Friday, with 76 of those being $200 infringements for failing to wear a face mask.
A further 10 people were charged with failing to comply with Public Health Orders.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 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.
