Police were patrolling holiday hotspots around Kingborough over the Easter break to ensure people continued doing the right thing to keep the community safe.
Bruny Island, usually a popular destination for the community, was barred to non-residents. Visiting shacks for a short get away or making a day trip to the island was not allowed, with police officers on site at Kettering to question those intending to board the ferry.
“This Easter, if you are away from your primary residence and try to catch the Bruny
Island ferry or go to your shack and you don’t have a valid excuse, you will not only be
turned around, but you could be charged and face a substantial fine,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins ahead of the long weekend.
“Our message to everyone is to please stay home.
“Our officers can be anywhere, anytime targeting those who do risk their lives, and the lives of others.”
Tasmania Police and the State Government were reinforcing this message in the lead up to Easter in an effort to protect vulnerable communities like Bruny Island, which are prone to drastic increases in population around long weekends and holidays.
Police conducted road safety spot checks, breath testing and drug tests as well as property inspections and quarantine compliance checks over the long weekend.
Toward the end of Easter Sunday, Tasmania Police had proceeded against more than 20 people for failing to comply with the directions of the Director of Public Health.
This included a number of people who were arrested and charged with fail to comply with a direction of the Director of Public Health after being apprehended for other offences including breach of bail, drug offences, assault and burglary.
Close to 80 people were warned to return to their primary residence after being stopped by police while travelling or discovered away from home.
“It is unacceptable that people are selfish enough to breach these restrictions, knowing the seriousness of this health emergency and the impact of COVID-19,” said Commander Rob Blackwood. “Unless it is essential, you should not be away from your primary residence and police will
be speaking to you.”
Police undertook patrols and aerial surveillance of dozens of remote camping areas, coastal towns and cities over the weekend to ensure people did not breach the COVID-19 restrictions.
At Kettering, police reported that 34 vehicles travelled on the Bruny Island ferry and all occupants were spoken to and found to be compliant.
Last Easter more than 600 vehicles travelled to the Island on Easter Saturday.
Premier Peter Gutwein emphasized the Tasmania Police directive on Thursday, April 9, before the long weekend.
“Despite repeated pleas, it is clear that some people simply are not abiding by the law,” said Permier Gutwein.
“Stay home unless you have a valid reason to go out, such as for essential supplies.
“This is not a game, it is deadly serious.
“Remember, it only took one person to cause an infection of more than one million people across the world.”
Those who chose to ignore police directives will face $16,800 fines and up to six months jail time for breaching the ‘Emergency Management Act’ and failing to comply with a lawful requirement or direction of an emergency management worker.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Higgins said that Tasmanians must continue to remain in their primary residence unless they are accessing essential services such as food or medical supplies.
“This means you need to stay home unless absolutely necessary and you need to avoid travelling between regions,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Higgins reiterated.
“Unless it’s essential, don’t travel outside the municipality in which you live.”
For those people worried about security of their properties, Acting Deputy Commissioner Higgins reassured the community that police will be undertaking additional patrols in those areas.
“The measures have been implemented to stop the spread of COVID-19 and police will be enforcing them,” continued Acting Deputy Commissioner Higgins.
“By now, everyone knows what they must do.”
