ACT Policing increases compliance activities during lockdown

ACT Policing has significantly increased its compliance activity following the announcement of the ACT wide lockdown on Thursday (12 August 2021).

Overall community compliance has been high - with the vast majority of people making themselves aware of the rules. However, since the lockdown was announced police have fined people for a range of reasons.

These included workers painting an unfinished new home and a driver that allegedly claimed to be a rideshare driver but could not provide any proof of this.

Three men, arrested for criminal matters, were also charged with breaching health directions.

In one case overnight a 43-year-old Queanbeyan man was charged with contravening health directions and other offences after officers in Weston spoke with the man and asked him to wear a face mask. The man refused to do so and was arrested after disclosing he was not in the ACT for essential work or health care. A search of his possessions revealed a number of stolen items.

In total, eight infringement notices have been issued since Thursday, along with seven cautions and 48 people were directed to leave the ACT.

In Road Policing activities (some jointly conducted with NSW Police), more than 2700 drivers have been spoken to by police at random compliance operations since Thursday.

Police will continue to stop vehicles both within the ACT and border crossings to ensure people from interstate or entering the ACT are entitled to be in the Territory.

Face-to-face compliance activity was also ramped up following the lockdown announcement, with police conducting 3813 in-person checks at homes, hotels and businesses.

ACT Policing COVID-19 Taskforce Detective Superintendent Naomi Binstead said there was very clear advice about what restrictions are in place during the lockdown.

“While we have seen a good overall level of compliance across the ACT, there are still those few people that have decided they either know better, or that these important rules do not apply to them,” said Detective Superintendent Binstead.

“As the Chief Police Officer has repeatedly said – stay at home unless you meet the reasons identified by ACT Health and check the ACT Health website for the most up-to-date information.

“Also, please do not call police for general COVID-19 lockdown information. A significant number of calls have been received by our operations centre and the vast majority of these are already clearly answered on the ACT Health website.”

Before you call a helpline – please visit the ACT COVID-19 site for the most up to date information.

To make reports of non-compliance you can complete a form via Access Canberra or contact the COVID-19 Helpline on 6207 7244 (8am-8pm, 7 days a week).

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