Coronavirus: Man 'tries to escape hotel quarantine for CIGARETTE'

A man placed under mandatory quarantine has been charged by police for attempting to flee his hotel room for a cigarette.

The 28-year-old man, from Queensland, was completing his mandatory 14-day quarantine at a hotel on Macquarie Street in Sydney when he tried to escape.

NSW recorded 18 new coronavirus cases on Sunday.

“Police will allege the man breached the 14-day mandatory quarantine required to be completed by returned international travellers, as per the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order 2020,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Security spotted the man attempting to leave his room, NSW police said, and he was advised to return to his room.

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The man allegedly refused and tried to leave the hotel via the lift, but he was then stopped by police.

The man was restrained following a short, physical struggle and was returned to his hotel room, NSW Police said.

For resisting a police officer and failing to comply with the Public Health Act Order, the man will be served a Future Court Attendance Notice.

From Monday, NSW will restrict overseas arrivals into Sydney in a new agreement with the federal government.

“NSW is the gateway to Australia and it is important that passengers returning home do not overrun the capacity of NSW Health and hotel quarantine,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday.

“The people of NSW have done an excellent job putting us in the position we are in today, however we must not let our guard down and this decision will further help keep us safe.”

Hotel quarantine is mandatory for all returning travellers from overseas and from July 18, all returning travellers must pay for their quarantine, unless they purchased a ticket home before July 12.

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