Elderly man is charged with breaching coronavirus self-quarantine after ‘speaking too close to his neighbours and riding his push bike’
- A 73-year-old man has been charged with breaching coronavirus self-quarantine
- He had travelled from New Zealand and arrived in Western Australia on Thursday
- The next day, he was seen by neighbours talking to others in close proximity
- He also allegedly left to go to the local shops and was seen riding his push bike
- The man has been charged with one count of Fail to comply with a direction
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A 73-year-old man has been charged with breaching coronavirus self-quarantine after talking to his neighbours in close proximity and riding his bicycle to the nearby shops.
The man had travelled from New Zealand and arrived in Western Australia on Thursday, March 26.
The following day, he was seen by residents of his retirement village talking to others in close proximity outside his unit.
He also allegedly left to go to the local shops and was seen riding his push bike in the area.
The man is accused of breaking his mandatory 14-day self-isolation period after returning from overseas.
The elderly man has been charged with one count of Fail to comply with a direction.
He is due to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on April 16.
Officers from Thursday had the power to hand out fines of $1,000 to individuals and $5,000 to businesses that breach public health orders or ministerial directions.
It comes after a woman who breached quarantine regulations after returning from Bali was fined $1,000 for flouting coronavirus public health orders.
The 65-year-old tourist returned to Sydney from Bali on March 21 and was told she was subject to a public health order and was required to quarantine for 14 days.
But when police received information the woman contravened the public health order and visited her home in Redhead, south of Newcastle, she was issued with a warning for breaching the order.
Officers received further information she had left her home on Thursday morning and was in breach of the order.
Fines will also apply for breaches of the prohibition on outdoor gatherings of 500 people and indoor gatherings of 100 people.
It follows the passing of legislation in the NSW parliament to help tackle the spread.
Under the bill, police are able to arrest people reasonably suspected of breaching COVID-19 public health orders and return them home or to a place of detention.