Man charged for 'spitting on customer at McDonald's'
A man has been arrested for allegedly spitting on a McDonald’s customer after being told he couldn’t sit and eat in the restaurant due to coronavirus restrictions.
The man, 42, was visiting McDonald’s at Kellyville Ridge, in Sydney’s northwest, on Thursday about 11.40am, police said.
He ordered his food and sat down to eat.
Under current COVID-19 restrictions, all food from restaurants can’t be eaten on the premises - it has to be takeaway.
When he was informed of this though, he allegedly refused to leave. A 34-year-old woman started filming him on her phone.
It’s alleged as he got up to leave he spat in her face.
Officers attached to Quakers Hill Police Area Command attended and arrested the man.
He has been charged with common assault and has been issued a Field Court Attendance Notice.
He’ll face court on July 6.
A McDonald’s spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia in a statement the safety and security of its staff and customers is its "number one priority”.
“We do not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour in our restaurants. Any such behaviour will be reported to the relevant authorities,” they said.
Harsher fines for coughing, spitting on health workers
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said on Friday anyone who coughs or spits on a doctor, nurse, cleaner, or any “frontline health care worker” would be fined $5000.
“It is absolutely disgusting that anybody could think it's OK to cough or spit on a health worker, or any of the other workers,” he said.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said in the last 24 hours about 50 people had been fined for contravening the Public Health Act 2010.
The act grants police powers to ensure people follow self-isolation directions after returning overseas and follow social distancing measures with one the spot fines of $1000. Businesses can be fined $5000.
“Those people who just failed to get the severity of the situation that we face in these last few months and days,” he told reporters.
“And, of course, these people need to be sent a very clear message that it won't be tolerated, it won't be tolerated by the police or the community and if you choose to go against what most people in the community think is a reasonable consideration with the situation that we're faced with COVID-19, police will take action.”
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