Queensland COVID-19 fines exceed $2 million
While Queensland residents relished their first taste of relative freedom as coronavirus restrictions were eased slightly last week, some received a a costly reminder that social distancing measures are still in place.
From Saturday, residents could travel up to 50km from their home to shop, visit a park or even go to the drive-in. However, they could only move about with members of their household and they also had to retain social distancing measures.
A police officer (right) is seen on the beach at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on Sunday, May 3. The Queensland Government have relaxed some restrictions due to a very low number of new COVID-19 infections. Queenslanders can now go for a drive (within 50km of home), ride a motorbike, jetski or boat for recreation, have a picnic, visit a national park and shop for non-essential items. (AAP Image/Darren England) AAP
Police, however, have still been patrolling popular areas in the state, and handed out 32 on-the-spot fines for $1334 on Saturday.
So far 1664 on-the-spot fines for COVID-19 related infringements have been issued in Queensland, totalling more than $2.19 million.
People are seen on the beach at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, Sunday, May 3, 2020. The Queensland Government have relaxed some restrictions due to a very low number of new COVID-19 infections. Queenslanders can now go for a drive (within 50km of home), ride a motorbike, jetski or boat for recreation, have a picnic, visit a national park and shop for non-essential items. (AAP Image/Darren England) AAP
The state has also launched an online form the public can use to report people breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
"We encourage members of the public to use the online form to report any blatant breach of the Chief Health Officer's public health directions," State Disaster Coordinator Steve Gollschewski said.
"This includes large gatherings such as house parties and events where people are obviously ignoring social-distancing rules."
People are seen at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on Sunday May 3. The Queensland Government have relaxed some restrictions due to a very low number of new COVID-19 infections. Queenslanders can now go for a drive (within 50km of home), ride a motorbike, jetski or boat for recreation, have a picnic, visit a national park and shop for non-essential items. (AAP Image/Darren England) AAP
Earlier this month five people on the Sunshine Coast were fined more than $6,000 over a noisy party.
They claimed to have no knowledge of the pandemic or social distancing.
While a woman spent a night behind bars and was fined $2000 after breaching coronavirus self-quarantine because no fresh towels were sent to her room.
People relax on the beach at Burleigh Heads on May 02, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. The Queensland government has eased COVID-19 lockdown measures in response to a decline in coronavirus cases across the state. From Saturday 2 May, Queenslanders are allowed to leave their homes for recreational activities, such as motorbiking or boating, picnics, visiting national parks or going shopping for non-essential items. Getty
Police found her outside the hotel, one day after she was given a fine for leaving her room to buy a Band-Aid.
The online form is located here under the COVID-19 breach tab.
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