The NSW Police Force is urging compliance with self-isolation requirements to prevent COVID-19 from continuing to spread through communities after recent breaches were detected.
Since Operation STAY AT HOME commenced earlier this month, police across the state have been conducting high-visibility operations to support the community, conducting 40,877 welfare engagements (compliance checks), checking on more than 76,000 people.
Police continue to enforce the Public Health Orders with officers issuing more than 12,600 Penalty Infringement Notices. This includes 327 PINs issued since Monday 23 August 2021 for not complying with curfew requirements in areas of concern.
Incidents of note include:
- Officers from Parramatta Police Transport Command were patrolling a train travelling from Seven Hills to Parramatta just before 4pm on Tuesday (24 August 2021), when they spoke to a passenger not wearing a correctly fitted face mask. The 31-year-old man was arrested after checks revealed an outstanding warrant for breaches of the Public Health Order. He was taken to Parramatta Police Station where the outstanding warrant for three counts of fail to comply with self-isolation direction was also executed. Inquiries confirmed the Bankstown man was COVID positive. He appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 25 August where he was formally refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 6 October 2021.
- Officers from Kuring-Gai Police Area Command located a stationary Toyota Camry in an industrial area on Salisbury Road, Asquith about 6.30pm on Thursday (26 August 2021). Police spoke to the occupants, a 39-year-old woman from Tregear and a 43-year-old man and during a subsequent search of the vehicle located drug paraphernalia. Both occupants were in breach of the Public Health Order and issued PINS for fail to comply with requirement of Public Health Order – COVID-19. Subsequent inquiries also revealed the woman had returned a COVID positive result and has been directed to self-isolate.
- About 6.30pm on Thursday (26 August 2021), a 35-year-old man left his vehicle unattended outside his Doonside home when his wallet was stolen. The man's credit cards were fraudulently used at several nearby stores and police were notified. Officer from Blacktown Police Area Command attended and arrested a 17-year-old male after a short struggle. The teen admitted to being COVID positive and was taken to Westmead Hospital where he remains receiving treatment. Inquiries continue.
- About 2.30pm on Friday (27 August 2021), officers from Parramatta Police Area Command received information regarding a 27-year-old man, not self-isolating as required. Police spoke to the Parramatta man who admitted he was COVID positive and had continued to be active in the community. He was issued a PIN for fail to comply with requirement of Public Health Order – COVID-19 and directed to self-isolate as required. NSW Heath have been notified.
Police launched operation STAY AT HOME on Monday 16 August 2021 in order to boost public health order enforcements efforts across the state.
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.
