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【澳洲】Coronavirus restrictions around gatherings in each state and territory, and who has been fined


  • People of the same household gathering together

  • Funerals, where a maximum of 10 people can gather

  • Weddings, where there can be up to five people

  • Family units, which is understood to mean immediate family

Since then, most states and territories have enacted their own laws roughly in line with the Prime Minister's outlined restrictions.


Over the past week, some people have been given warnings or fined for breaching these new social distancing laws.

Here's a rundown of the enforcement measures that have been undertaken in each state and territory so far, and a reminder of what the penalties are.


PHOTO: Many beaches have been closed by councils to encourage social distancing.

(AAP: Scott Barbour)


Queensland

Police dished out 58 fines, each worth $1,334 after breaking up a large car rally south of Brisbane on Saturday night.

About 150 vehicles were pulled up in a warehouse carpark. Many drivers tried to flee the area, with some getting bogged as they tried to evade police.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said beaches would close at The Spit, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta after "out-of-towners" headed to the coast over the weekend.

But he said beaches would remain open for locals.

On Saturday, police intercepted cars on the Gold Coast Highway as people travelled from Brisbane to go to the beach for the day.

And the state's Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk threatened to shut down fresh food markets after large crowds attended a market at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

"Guys, it's not on. If I see that happen again, they're going to be shut down immediately," she warned.

The penalties: Police can issue on-the-spot fines of $1,334.50 for people and $6,672.50 for corporations breaking the two-person rule.


PHOTO: Police have been conducting operations to prevent Brisbane residents from visiting Gold Coast beaches. (ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale)


NSW

Several of PINs were handed to people attending barbecues.

Another included a woman who joined a man as he delivered food because "she was bored being at home".

NSW Police said a 21-year-old man was charged at Bondi Beach after ignoring the "beach closed" signs on Sunday morning.

Officers alleged he refused to follow move-on directions and then coughed at an officer while claiming to have COVID-19. He later tested negative for the virus.

The penalties: Individuals could be jailed for six months and/or fined $11,000, plus a $5,500-per-day fine if they keep breaking the rules. For corporations, those fines are $55,000 and $27,500 respectively.


Tasmania

On Sunday Tasmania Police responded to reports of a 50-year-old man refusing to abide by isolation requirements after his recent return from Victoria.

He had been provided with accommodation at a government facility, but police allege he breached his isolation requirements multiple times.

After being arrested, charged with public health offences and released from custody on bail, the man was returned to the government facility to continue his period of isolation.

The penalties: Non-compliance can attract a fine of up to $16,800 or six months in jail.


Western Australia

On Sunday police charged a 35-year-old man who was being put up in a Perth hotel for self-isolation after returning from Victoria.

Polcie say he breached self-quarantine requirements multiple times.

"He wedged open a fire exit door at the hotel to enable him to leave and re-enter the property without being seen by staff," a police spokesperson said.

"He utilised public transport to travel within the metropolitan area."

The man was refused bail on suspicion that he would likely to repeat the offence.

The penalties: The State Government says it will introduce on-the-spot fines for people who disobey self-isolating and gathering directives. The fines will be $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 businesses.


PHOTO: On-the-spot fines have been introduced in Western Australia. (Mark Bennett)


Victoria

Victoria Police issued 108 fines on Sunday to people and businesses ignoring the physical distancing rules.

Officers also conducted 983 spot checks across the state as part of Operation Sentinel, taking the total number of checks since March 21 to more than 14,000.

On Monday, a 17-year-old learner driver with her mother in the passenger seat was pulled over by police and issued with a $1,652 fine.

"We hadn't gotten out of the car, we weren't planning on getting out, we were just doing a loop around and coming home," Hunter Reynolds said.

"I was under the limit, had my L-plates on, so I was really surprised."

A police spokesperson said Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill was "following up the circumstances surrounding the incident".

"AC Hill will review the matter and see whether discretion could have been used in this instance," the spokesperson said.

But when Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos was asked about it at a press conference, she said driving lessons were not essential.

"There are only four good reasons to leave home and that doesn't include taking your child on a driver learning experience," she said.

"Unless you're driving to the supermarket with them to pick up your weekly groceries, you should be staying at home.

The penalties: Police can issue on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 for people and $9,913 for failure to comply with public health directions about gatherings and self-isolation.


Northern Territory

Police have issued four infringement notices for people failing to follow coronavirus public health directions, one stemming from a party on Friday.

 

Your questions on coronavirus answered:

 

A statement from NT Police said 45-year-old woman "was found to be hosting a social gathering" of 14 people at her home, including 10 who did not live there.

One of the residents was in self-quarantine inside the property after returning from interstate.

The woman was issued with an infringement penalty of $1,099.

The penalties: The infringement penalty for failing to comply with Chief Health Officer directions for is $1,099 for individuals and $5,495 for businesses.


ACT

ACT Police are conducting spot checks of people self-isolating at home.

The last update from ACT police, which was posted last week, stated officers "have not identified any issues".

"While most people in our community are doing the right thing, I am concerned that some aren't taking the compliance measures seriously,"

ACT chief police officer Ray Johnson said.

"Unfortunately, just a few days ago two people's words and actions saw them charged for acts to cause public alarm."

He said two men had been arrested in Civic at the weekend after spitting and coughing on people while claiming they had the coronavirus.

Last week it was announced the ACT would begin "actively looking" for community transmission of coronavirus in Canberra from Monday.

This would allow a random sample of ineligible people to be tested for COVID-19 each day.

The penalties: Individuals face a maximum fine of $8,000 while corporations could be slugged with a $40,500 fine.


South Australia

Currently, the two-person rule is considered "strong advice" for South Australians.

"When the Prime Minister makes recommendations to the states about restriction guidelines relating to COVID-19, each state must then consider how those recommendations will be applied,"

the SA Government website says.

"They are not enforceable in South Australia until the State Coordinator, Commissioner Grant Stevens, enacts a Direction."

A factsheet last updated by the SA Government on April 2 said Mr Stevens felt that South Australia was "currently in a better situation than other states".

"He feels that the current restrictions are working well in flattening the curve."

But police say gatherings of more than 10 people are banned.

The penalties: Individuals who don't comply with the 10-person rule can be fined $1,000, while businesses face a $5,000 fine.


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