ACT Policing is warning motorists to have their ID ready for COVID-19 checkpoints. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
ACT Policing has set up a COVID-19 checkpoint on the Barton Highway at Hall as it ramps up compliance operations to enforce the new public health direction blocking people from coronavirus hotspots entering the Territory.
An RBT-style operation will also commence on King Edward Terrance near Questacon this afternoon (7 January).
The ad hoc operations around the ACT will continue until at least mid-next week with a focus on Barton and Parkes after most of the 16 cars turned around on Tuesday were found to be coming to Canberra for a day trip to visit national institutions.
This reduced to 12 turnarounds on Wednesday (6 January) and 50 people were directed into quarantine on the same day.
On the Barton Highway, there were lines around 40 cars deep at 11:30 am this morning as officers checked where travellers were coming from and if they had been to, or reside in, the Greater Sydney area.
The operation included at least 12 officers, four motorcycles, four squad cars and a mobile van. Police had also set up tents.
Officers on site told Region Media that testing sites would pop up without warning around Canberra and motorists were advised to have their ID ready.
Police said that while they did not want to inconvenience people unduly, there would be no advance warning of checkpoint locations.
Police operations along the Federal Highway and Sutton Road in Pialligo were also set up earlier this week.
Fines of up to $8,000 can be issued to people found breaking the public health direction.
Loading ...
