In a press conference on Saturday 28 March, South Australia Premier Steven Marshall and Police Chief
This morning after the Cabinet meeting, the Premier met with Governor of South Australia, Hieu Van Le, who has made new regulations on on-the-spot fines for those not complying with isolation rules.
SA Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens then went into detail on the expiation fines that are now introduced.
Despite an overwhelming number of South Australians complying, the police can hand a $1000 expiation notice on the spot for individuals, or $5000 for body corporate who are not complying with quarantine and isolation requirements.
Prior to this there was the ability to initiate a prosecution and take the person to court, where the max penalty was $20,000, however this a difficult and time consuming process.
The Commissioner says that this ability to hand an on the spot fine sends a strong message.
The fines are primarily for those who are required to quarantine, there will be movement for applying this fine to gatherings and groups of over 10.
The commissioner did say that it is difficult to enforce this fine on groups of 10 as there are valid reasons as why people are gathering in larger groups.
As the Governor has signed off on the regulation, so it is effective immediately. However, the Commissioner has stated that they will assess each situation.
The Premier also spoke on Easter holiday plans, urging people to rethink where they are going, and staying home, unless they are going to their own holiday home, isolated from different groups.
“I think Holidaying on Kangaroo Island is unfortunately over,” he says.
Noting the cut-off nature of Kangaroo Island and the difficulty in getting medical help to the island should there be a COVID-19 outbreak, the premier has advised that non-essential travel to Kangaroo Island no longer take place.
More to come.
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