Police Commissioner: Time for Cautioning Over

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the time for police cautioning people who are not self-isolating, is over. 

There have been 600 calls to CrimeStoppers in the last two days, reporting people breaching the new laws: 1800 333 000.

Two days ago the state introduced on the spot fines of $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses breaking the law.

The Commissioner said a 65 year old woman from Lake Macquarie received a $1,000 on the spot fine yesterday for walking around the streets and not observing self-isolation.

A massage parlor owner was fined $5,000 for continuing to operate and three employees were fined $1,000 each.

Help is at hand for people self-isolating locally:

• Contact the Scone Neighbourhood Centre if you need groceries and essentials delivered: 02 6545 2562.
• Do not present to the pharmacy for medications, instead phone the pharmacy to arrange for your medications to be delivered.
• The Scone Medical Practice can provide consultations over the phone or internet.
• If you need to go to hospital or call an ambulance, please inform them that you are in self-isolation, so they can wear appropriate personal protective equipment and keep frontline staff safe. This will not slow down their response time to you.

Some of the new laws include:

People returning from overseas must self-isolate for 14 days:

• failure to do so can result in a maximum penalty including 6 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $11,000 (or both), plus a further $5,500 fine each day the offence occurs. Corporations that fail to comply with a direction are liable for a $55,000 and $27,000 each day the offence occurs.
• can only leave self-isolation for obtaining medical care, in an emergency or to avoid a close contact with another person.
• should not permit any other person to enter the premises during the quarantine period unless the person usually resides there, is also in quarantine, or is a person who needs to provide emergency medical care. 

A person who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 must:

• follow the directions of their health professional (ambulance, nurse, doctor) and go to their place of self-isolation immediately;
• not leave their self-isolation except for medical care, or during a medical emergency;
• not permit any other person to enter the premises during self-isolation unless the person resides there, is also in self-isolation, or is a person who needs to provide emergency medical care.

Gatherings orders:

• Failure to comply with a direction of the Public Health Act can result in 6 months in prison or a fine of up to $11,000 (or both), plus a further $5,500 fine each day the offence continues. Corporations that fail to comply are liable to a fine of $55,000 and $27,500 each day the offence continues.