Two Melbourne workers are hit with $1,099 fine after skipping coronavirus quarantine to go on a cruise
- Two colleagues were granted a travel exemption to enter the Northern Territory
- The pair, from Melbourne, were required to quarantine while not working
- Police were advised the man and woman took a cruise at Kakadu National Park
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Two Melbourne colleagues will be hit with a $1,099 fine each after they ignored coronavirus quarantine to go on a sightseeing cruise in the Northern Territory.
The 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman travelled from Melbourne and into the NT on June 19 after they were granted a travel exemption for work purposes.
The pair were granted entry to collect a vehicle and then leave the NT, under the condition they would quarantine while not at work.
But police were advised the colleagues ignored the quarantine requirements to take a boat cruise at Kakadu National Park.
Two Melbourne colleagues will be hit with a $1,099 fine each after they ignored coronavirus quarantine to go on a sightseeing cruise at Kakadu National Park. Pictured: Tourists on a sunrise cruise at Yellow Water in the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park
The man, who had already left the NT, was told by police he would receive his fine in the mail.
Police are attempting to track down the women to issue her the infringement notice.
Acting Commander Shaun Gill said it was ‘extremely disappointing’ that people had become complacent as quarantine restrictions were eased.
‘We are still in a health emergency situation and the threat of COVID-19 returning to the NT is very real, even more so with the borders opening on 17 July,’ he said.
‘Police are strongly urging people to abide by the rules in place and to not put other Territorians lives at risk, particularly our more vulnerable remote population.
‘Travelling to a remote community when you are supposed to be in quarantine could potentially have a disastrous impact and devastate a community.’
Pictured: A coronavirus testing site in Melbourne on Tuesday. Victoria recorded 20 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday
The Northern Territory transitioned from mandatory 14-day monitored quarantine to 14-day mandatory self-quarantine on June 15, meaning inter-state travellers are allowed to isolate in their own homes or accommodation.
The NT infringements come as Victoria continues to battle their coronavirus outbreak.
Victoria recorded 20 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. It is the eighth day of double-digit growth in new cases, bringing the state’s tally to 1884. About 140 cases remain active.
NT Police said compliance teams on June 22 conducted a number of checks on travellers who entered the Territory.
A 30-year-old woman was fined after she was found working at a community store in Ngukurr. She arrived in the NT on June 16 from Melbourne via Brisbane.
A 20-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man were not at their Darwin homes when a check was conducted. When contacted by officers, they were unable to provide a lawful justification as to why they were not quarantining.
The 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman travelled from Melbourne and into the NT on June 19 after they were granted a travel exemption for work purposes. The pair were granted entry to collect a vehicle and then leave the NT, under the condition they would quarantine while not at work. But police were told the colleagues attended a cruise at Kakadu National Park