Several uni students have been fined after they left lockdown in Sydney to go to Catalina, Batemans Bay. Photo: Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Police have told Sydneysiders they cannot hide in regional NSW after several university students breached COVID-19 restrictions by fleeing to the Far South Coast.
NSW Police went to a short-term rental property at Catalina near Batemans Bay about 3:15 pm on Wednesday (15 July) after being told a group from Sydney were staying there.
Police said the eight people – aged either 18 or 19 – had travelled from Balgowlah Heights, Bellevue Hill, Bondi, Dover Heights and Edgecliff to stay at the property before they had to return to university.
Each student was issued a $1000 penalty infringement notice (PIN) and told to return home via the most direct route.
Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing thanked the South Coast community for its assistance in enforcing the public health orders.
“This case really shows that Sydneysiders have nowhere to hide in regional areas at the moment,” he said.
“If you live in Greater Sydney and are thinking of travelling in contravention of the public health order, you should be aware that if police don’t pull you over proactively, the community will let us know you’re there.
“Regional people are actively working with police to protect themselves and their loved ones, which is so important given the incredibly contagious nature of the Delta strain.”
In total, 203 PINs were issued across NSW on Wednesday with 93 of those $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.
Also, 19 people were charged with failing to comply with Public Health Orders, the majority of those charges were associated with other criminal offences.
If you have information about a contravention of COVID-19-related restrictions you can contact Crime Stoppers.
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