Police use powers under Liquor Act to close bar over weekend

ACT Policing forced the closure of a bar in Civic for breaching the Liquor Act 2010. 

Police attended the Alinga Street venue about 12.30am Sunday, 13 September 2020, in response to a report that the licensed venue appeared to be in breach of agreed patron limits under COVID-19 health directions.

In inspecting the venue officers discovered 32 people in the bar, which has a maximum limit of 28 patrons.

Police also found there was no security on site and emergency exits were locked and as the venue was in a basement this led ACT Policing to serve a 24 hour emergency closure of the venue under the Liquor Act 2010.

The police investigation into potential breaches of COVID-19 health directions and offences under liquor licensing laws is ongoing.

ACT Policing, Access Canberra and ACT Health continued to conduct COVID-19 compliance patrols over the weekend, working collaboratively with businesses to help them meet requirements.

Inspector Rachel Hutka from ACT Policing’s COVID-19 Taskforce said most businesses were keen to work with authorities to do the right thing.

“We have generally found businesses keen to cooperate with us if there are any concerns regarding compliance with health directions,” Inspector Hutka said.

“Businesses want to keep their staff and customers safe, and the best way to guarantee that is by working with authorities.

“Those businesses working hard to do the right thing deserve our thanks because this is a difficult time for everyone.”

Inspector Hutka encouraged businesses and patrons to use the new Check In CBR app.

“The new app will make it easier for businesses to meet contact tracing obligations under the Public Health Directions which benefits everyone,” Inspector Hutka said.

In the past seven days ACT Policing also conducted 774 quarantine checks bringing the total number of checks to more than 11,000.

For all general enquiries - including to make a report 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