AFP COVID-19 checkpoint at King Edward Terrace in December 2020. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
ACT Policing will increase COVID-19 enforcement activities by conducting compliance checks across the ACT from tonight (26 June).
The announcement follows ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr declaring new stay-at-home orders for ACT residents returning to the ACT from Greater Sydney, and tough restrictions on non-residents trying to enter the ACT,
Police will check to ensure anyone who has been in a COVID-19-affected area of NSW has the requisite permission to legally be in the Territory.
Non-ACT residents who have recently been to Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Wollongong areas require an exemption to legally enter the ACT and may face penalties of up to $8,000 if they are caught in the ACT without one.
ACT residents in home quarantine can also expect a police check either via phone or by in-person checks.
Residents subject to stay at home orders can only leave home for essential purposes, including to buy supplies, daily exercise, medical care and compassionate needs, and essential work that cannot occur at home.
Acting Chief Police Officer Liz McDonald said she expects people to do the right thing by following stay-at-home requirements and not entering the ACT without an exemption.
“I have tasked my members to be on the lookout for vehicles from interstate. If you enter the ACT against the public health directions, you may be stopped by police anytime, anywhere,” acting CPO McDonald said.
“We will also continue having officers conducting checks of individuals subject to stay-at-home orders. If you suspect someone is breaching the public health directions, let us know. We rely on information from our community and will act on information we receive and actively engage anyone who could be from the declared areas.
“Police will be there to stop the small minority whose disregard for public health directions puts everyone else at risk.
“We will continue to work with the ACT Government to consider the most appropriate enforcement approach in the ACT as health directions change.”
For further information on COVID-19 restrictions in the ACT, visit the ACT COVID-19 site.
For general enquiries, including to make reports of non-compliance, contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 6207 7244 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm, 7 days a week).
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