Coronavirus: Everything you can be fined for across Australia
With Victoria in the middle of a second coronavirus battle and NSW trying to squash growing outbreaks, new fines have been introduced is some states, while jail time is being proposed in others.
Yahoo News Australia has outlined fines for individuals and companies who breach COVID directions in each state and territory.
Coronavirus: News South Wales fines
New South Wales is keeping a vigilant eye on Victoria as it sees an increase in coronavirus cases stemming from across the border.
With another 20 new cases recorded on Monday, NSW is imposing harsher border restrictions with its southern neighbour, tightening the permit criteria for those wanting to go north.
Anyone caught crossing the border without the correct permission or breaching public health orders faces an $11,000 fine and six months in prison, “or both and a further $5,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues,” according to the NSW Government’s website.
The rule also applies to intentionally spitting or coughing on a public official or a worker travelling to or from their employment.
Within the state, up to 20 people may visit a home at one time. If more than the maximum number are found at a property, they can be issued on-the-spot fines of $1,000.
Pubs can only allow groups of 10 people per booking and a maximum of 300 patrons, or one customer per four square metres.
If a group of more than 10 people are seen at an establishment, the company can receive a $55,000 penalty. A further $27,500 fine may apply for each day an offence continues.
Coronavirus: Victoria fines
Victoria, which recorded another 275 new coronavirus cases on Monday as it battles to contain hotspots, recently announced residents will be fined $200 for not wearing face masks.
As of Wednesday, anyone over the age of 12 living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire must wear a face covering when leaving their home for essential reasons.
Anyone living outside of the hotspots are urged to wear one when they cannot guarantee a safe 1.5 metre distance between themselves and others.
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Since the beginning of the pandemic, the state has handed out thousands of $1,652 on-the-spot fines to individuals flouting the stay-at-home orders.
Businesses refusing to close their doors during the stage three lockdown face a $9,913 fine and the possibility of further legal or financial penalties.
People caught crossing Victoria and NSW’s closed border without permission face penalties including a fine of $11,000 and six months imprisonment.
It was revealed last week that Victoria had collected more than $1 million in fines since the second wave of restrictions were re-instated.
Coronavirus: Queensland fines
As of July 3, Queenslanders are allowed to gather in groups of up to 100 people in homes and public spaces as long as social distancing measures are being adhered to.
A $1,334 fine will be imposed on any individual who does not follow the guidelines and attends or organises an event with more than the maximum amount of people.
Companies face a $6,672 fine.
Now that the state’s borders have opened, anyone who provides false information in their Border Declaration faces a $4,003 fine or a court-imposed penalty of up to $13,345, Queensland police told Yahoo News Australia.
No one is allowed into the state if they have been in a coronavirus hotspot in the past 14 days.
Coronavirus: Western Australia fines
Western Australia's exemption list for NSW arrivals is getting even shorter as the state monitors COVID-19 outbreaks in the eastern states.
From 11.59pm on Sunday, exemptions will only be granted to certain senior government officials, certain active military personnel, federal MPs and their staff.
The tougher regime on NSW arrivals is in line with WA's approach to coronavirus-stricken Victoria and will be in place for an initial two weeks.
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Gatherings among WA residents are permitted for up to 100 people and 300 for venues with multiple spaces, as long as they are limited by a one person per two-square-metre distancing rule.
The maximum penalty for not abiding by the state’s directions is imprisonment for 12 months or a fine of $50,000.
If the offence is committed by a company, the fine is increased to $250,000.
Police officers have the power to issue $1,000 on-the-spot fines to individuals, and $5,000 for companies.
Coronavirus: South Australia fines
In South Australia, the total number of people at a home or public space must not exceed one person per two square metres.
While most restrictions have been eased, residents are still being encouraged to keep their distance.
Any individual caught violating social distancing and inhabiting crowded spaces faces a $1,000 fine, however they could also be taken to court where the maximum penalty is $20,000.
Businesses face an initial penalty of $5,000.
A $1,000 fine also applies for residents returning from overseas, or NSW and ACT visitors, who breach self-quarantine requirements or try to dodge police checkpoints and enter without using one of the mandated roads.
From Saturday, all permitted travellers into SA from Victoria, mostly locals returning, must get tested for coronavirus within 24 hours or face a $1,000 fine.
The state’s police commissioner Grant Stevens recently called for jail terms for people breaching South Australia’s border closure with Victoria.
Two men and a woman were charged on Sunday with breaching COVID directions after they crossed the South Australian border from Victoria at the Yamba checkpoint.
Police say the trio crossed just after 5pm on Saturday, with one of them claiming to need urgent medical attention, although they later failed to attend the nominated medical centre.
Coronavirus: Northern Territory fines
Northern Territory police have processed more than 2,500 people crossing the border since restrictions were eased on Friday.
Strict rules remain in place for anyone coming from Victoria or the greater Sydney region.
The state has rolled back restrictions on gatherings, with events of less than 100 people approved as long as people keep good hygiene and social distancing.
Larger events need permission from the Chief Health office.
The penalty for failing to abide by the directions is a $5,056 fine for an individual and $25,280 for a business.
The Northern Territory has avoided any community transmission or deaths from coronavirus.
Coronavirus: Tasmania fines
Tasmania has extended its border closure with the mainland until July 31 as Victoria and NSW see more infections.
Tasmania recorded its first case of coronavirus for more than 60 days ago on Monday: A young woman who returned from Victoria and was in hotel quarantine when she tested positive.
Within the state, 20 people are allowed to gather at a home, not including the residents.
Up to 250 people are allowed in an undivided indoor space and 500 outside, as long as it is one person per two-square-metres.
Tasmania police told Yahoo News Australia that 304 people have been arrested or summonsed for non-compliance with COVID-19 directions, as well as 22 infringements and cautions.
For individuals, the fine for breaching coronavirus distancing or having more than 20 people over is $774 for individuals and $5,117 for businesses.
“The COVID pandemic continues to be an unprecedented situation, and with the State of Emergency remaining in force in Tasmania, it is the first time these powers have been enacted,” Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said.
“Therefore, it’s appropriate for us to continue to review all the charges relating to the COVID-19 emergency.
“Our key message throughout this period has been to educate people and only initiate formal proceedings as a last resort. We strongly encourage our community to stay vigilant and keep up to date with advice and directions given as they are there to keep everyone safe,” Comm Higgins said.
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