A 41-year-old man was arrested in Parkes, ACT around 11.30am yesterday, Thursday 16 July, charged with failing to comply with COVID-19 health directions.
Police allege the man travelled to the ACT from Victoria on Wednesday 15 July without an exemption from the ACT Health Officer.
This is the first offence for failing to comply with a Public Health Direction under Section 120(4) of the Public Health Act 1997.
Detective Superintendent Jason Kennedy, Commander of the ACT Policing COVID-19 Taskforce, said the man was cooperative when taken into custody.
“We take the safety of the Canberra community seriously, especially those who may be at higher risk of health complications,” Detective Superintendent Kennedy said.
“ACT Policing had serious concerns about the significant health risks this particular individual posed to our community by not complying with the health directions.
“ACT Policing will continue to take all necessary action to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Bail will be opposed when the man fronts the ACT Magistrates Court this afternoon.
ACT announces new NSW COVID-19 hotspot location
A Public Health Direction that came into effect midday yesterday, 16 July, legally requires anyone in the ACT who has attended any COVID-19 hotspots identified by NSW Health to self-quarantine for 14 days.
A fourth hotspot has now been identified, and anybody who was at the West Leagues Club in Campbelltown between 8pm on Friday 10 July to 12am on Saturday 11 July and between 12am and 2.30am on Sunday 12 July, is being strongly encouraged to self-isolate immediately and get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible, even if you do not have any symptoms.
This is on top of the three locations and times identified yesterday – the Crossroads Hotel in Casula – between Friday 3 July to Friday 10 July; Planet Fitness in Casula – between Saturday 4 July and Friday 10 July; and the Picton Hotel in Picton – on Saturday 4 July, Sunday 5 July, Thursday 9 July or Friday 10 July.
People who visited any of these locations on the specified dates are asked to get in contact with ACT Health through the COVID-19 Helpline on 6207 7244, available between 8am and 8pm daily.
ACT residents are reminded not to travel to areas where COVID-19 outbreaks are occurring in NSW. This includes Liverpool and Campbelltown areas of Sydney more broadly. Travel to Victoria remains off-limits, apart from those with approved exemptions.
Meanwhile, there have been no new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the ACT in the past 24 hours, leaving the ACT’s total at 113 with five active cases.
A total of 105 cases have recovered from COVID-19 in the ACT with zero COVID-19 patients in Canberra Hospitals. The ACT has recorded three deaths.
The number of negative tests in the ACT is now 40,420.
The ACT Government is easing the following restrictions from midday today: Full-contact sporting competition can recommence, including dance and martial arts (with Return to Play in a COVID Safe Environment plan or a COVID Safety Plan); Competition and squad swimming can recommence; No limit on swimmers per lane; and All hospitality venues and licensed premises must prominently display the maximum number of patrons allowed in their venue under COVID restrictions.
The ACT Government has a dedicated COVID-19 website for all information about the health and economic response to the pandemic in the ACT. For further information visit www.covid19.act.gov.au.
