Covid-19 safety compliance concern

POLICE are concerned about Covid-19 safety compliance in regional New South Wales, after thirteen warnings were issued for Covid related breaches in the Northern Region over the long weekend.

Specialist licencing police and general duty officers conducted more than 1,000 business inspections throughout regional New South Wales, including 388 in the Northern Region, to ensure venues and patrons were aware of their Covid-safe responsibilities.

The Norther Region, which includes the Hunter Valley District, received the most Covid related warnings, with the Southern Region receiving just five and the Wester Region, zero.

See region breakdown below.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Chad Gillies said while patrons and licensees behaved sensibly over the long weekend, he is concerned about complacency with Covid-compliance.

“We in New South Wales need to be conscious that the pandemic is not yet over, as such, we must maintain all relevant safety precautions, including social distancing, good hygiene and checking into venues using the New South Wales Health QR codes via the Service New South Wales app,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Gillies said.

“If you do not have a smartphone, it is a requirement of all venues to have a manual check-in option. These details are required in the event of contact tracers needing to identify any persons who have been at a venue during a certain time period,” he said.

“We have been doing these things for more than a year now, it has become common practice to check-in wherever we go, whether it be a licensed venue or not. It’s on the patrons, licensees and staff members to ensure all procedures are followed so we can continue to live in a Covid-safe way,” he said.

“Licensing police will be following up with those venues who are not abiding by the Liquor and Gaming Act to ensure travelling through Regional New South Wales is safe and enjoyable for all,” said Acting Assistant Commissioner Gillies.

Northern Region breakdown:

• Arrests – 21
• Charges – 31
• Business inspections – 388
• Liquor and Gaming infringements – 14
• Move on directions – 6
• COVID-19 related warnings – 13
• Random Breath Testing conducted – 356

Southern Region breakdown:

• Arrests – 18
• Charges – 24
• Business inspections – 355
• Liquor and Gaming infringements – 22
• Move on directions – 7
• COVID-19 related warnings – 5
• Possess/supply drug – 7
• Random Breath Testing conducted – 634
• Prescribed Content of Alcohol – 3

Western Region breakdown:

• Arrests – 16
• Charges – 21
• Business inspections – 268
• Liquor and Gaming infringements – 37
• Move on directions – 2
• COVID-19 related warnings – 0
• Possess/supply drug – 5
• Random Breath Testing conducted – 878
• Prescribed Content of Alcohol – 16