Police arrest one and fine 13 for COVID breaches

ACT Policing yesterday (Friday, 16 July 2021) arrested a 34-year-old Campbell man for a COVID-19 compliance breach at a Canberra City retailer and issued 13 university students with fines for breaching health directions.

About 12.55pm Friday, police on patrol in a Canberra City shopping centre responded to a request for assistance from a staff member at a shop. The staff member stated he had been verbally abused when alerting a man of the need to use the ‘Check in CBR’ app upon entry to the store.

Police spoke to the man and reminded him of the need to sign in upon entry to the store. It will be alleged that the man continually refused to check in, repeatedly abused staff and used offensive language.

He was arrested at 1.05pm, and later bailed to appear at the ACT Magistrates Court charged with using offensive language in a public place and failing to comply with a direction of the Chief Health Officer.

The 13 students were each issued with $1000 fines yesterday after an investigation into their presence in the ACT.

The students, all of whom usually live in the Greater Sydney area, had applied for exemptions to enter the ACT several days ago. Their applications were declined, but the students came to the ACT in breach of ACT health directions.

The students will remain in isolation at their university residences for the remainder of the required 14-day period.

Media enquiries

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