Young hospitality worker is left stunned after being pulled over by cops and fined $500 for not wearing a mask inside her car with her boyfriend
- Samantha Malnick was hit with a $500 fine for not wearing a face mask in her car
- The hospitality worker was driving with partner when she was issued the ticket
- She says the confusing fine was given for ‘not wearing a mask in an indoor area’
- ‘It was pretty shocking and it doesn’t really make sense,’ Ms Malnick said
A young woman was left stunned after police pulled her over and fined her $500 for not wearing a mask in a car with her boyfriend.
Hospitality worker Samantha Malnick was on her way to the beach in Hamilton East, NSW, with her partner Dom when police issued her the penalty.
‘For “not wearing a mask in an indoor area” I think the ticket said,’ Ms Malnick told A Current Affair.
‘$500 means a lot to me. I’ve always worked, I’ve always had to work for my money my entire life.’
Samantha Malnick (pictured) was fined $500 for failing to wear a mask inside her car while driving with her boyfriend
Ms Malnick questioned why she needed to wear a mask in her car, but was free to hug, kiss and visit her boyfriend’s house without worrying about a face covering.
‘Yeah it was pretty shocking and it doesn’t really make sense to me either that you can go and visit your partner at their houses and stuff, but when you’re in a car with them you suddenly have to be wearing a mask,’ she said.
Police have clamped down harder on Covid-19 restrictions since the Delta variant outbreak saw infections sky rocket to over 1,500 cases last month.
In July, fines for Covid rule breakers doubled with penalty infringements increasing from $200 to $500 for Sydneysiders caught not wearing masks.
A person must carry and wear a face mask whenever they leave the house unless they are undertaking vigorous exercising, have a medical exemption, or are eating and drinking.
Ms Malnick was left confused by the fine that was issued for ‘not wearing a mask in an indoor area’ despite being able to visit, hug and kiss her boyfriend Dom
Rules on mask mandates will change from October 11 after the state reached its 70 per cent vaccination target.
From Monday residents in Greater Sydney will no longer be required to carry a face mask on them, or wear one outside, except in special circumstances.
Masks will only be required in public indoor settings, public transport, planes and airports and indoor front-of-house hospitality staff.
At 80 per cent vaccination, employees working in an office building will no longer be required to wear masks indoors.
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