ACT Policing establish new COVID-19 road check point in Queanbeyan region

ACT Policing is continuing its enforcement of ACT public health directions by screening drivers at two check points near the NSW border and maintaining its hotel and home quarantine regime.

Police today checked vehicles entering the ACT on Sutton Road in Pialligo to ensure non-residents from declared COVID-affected areas in NSW have the requisite exemptions to legally enter the territory.

This follows ACT Policing’s high visibility enforcement activity over the weekend on the Federal Highway, the main arterial road into the ACT from affected areas in NSW.

Police checked a total of 4,483 vehicles across Saturday and Sunday. Of those, 147 vehicles were turned away and 217 were returning ACT residents directed into quarantine.

Non-ACT residents who have recently been to Greater Sydney (including the Northern Beaches), Central Coast and Wollongong require an exemption in place to legally enter the ACT and can face penalties of up to $8,000 if they are caught in the ACT without one.

Detective Superintend Rohan Smith from ACT Policing’s COVID-19 Taskforce said he was pleased with the number of Canberrans cooperating with self-isolation.

“We are seeing a significant amount of self-quarantining with the majority of Canberrans keen to do the right thing,” Detective Superintendent Smith said.

“Police are 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 and if more temporary check points are required in the coming days.”

For the most recent information on the ACT’s COVID-19 restrictions, visit the COVID-19 website changes to restrictions page.

For general enquiries – including to make reports of non-compliance, contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 6207 7244 (8am-8pm, 7 days a week) or online available here. For police assistance call 131 444 and only contact Triple Zero (000) for emergencies.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au