COVID-19: Public Order and Riot Squad given new powers
Carla Velasquez • March 25, 2020
NSW Police can issue $1,000 on-the-spot fines for individuals and $5,000 for corporations breaking new social distancing guidelines.
If you are caught breaking the social distancing rules the NSW Police will now have the power to issue you with an on the spot fine and the offence will carry up to six months gaol time. Corporations will also be hit with the new fines if they fail to comply of up to $5,000 for breaching.
The NSW Police will increase patrols and also implement random checks. Tip offs have been received by NSW Police and they will also be checking those tip offs. The NSW Police Minister said "NSW Parliament introduced last night swift and certain penalties for people that don't obey the law." The Minister also indicated that the laws will be removed in due time.
He indicated that blatant ignoring of the social distancing rules and the scenes at Bondi Beach over the weekend were the catalyst for the drastic new laws.
