Man arrested after allegedly trying to cross NSW border illegally
A 32-year-old man has been charged after allegedly trying to cross into NSW from Victoria just hours following the closure of the border between the two states due to a surge in coronavirus cases.
NSW shut its border with Victoria after the latter state recorded high daily increases of confirmed cases.
The closure came into effect at 11.59pm on Tuesday night and police caught a man crossing the border at 11am on Wednesday near Corowa, almost 60 kilometres west of Albury.
According to NSW Police, the man had Victorian number plates on his car and he attempted to drive into NSW on Carlyle Road.
“Officers from Murray River Police District spoke with the driver, who allegedly declared his intention to cross into NSW despite not having a valid exemption,” a NSW Police statement said.
“Police allege the man was given several opportunities to comply with police directions, which he refused.”
The Victorian man was arrested and taken to Albury Police station and he was assisting police with their inquiries.
The man’s wife and three children complied with the police and returned to Victoria and NSW Police have since said the man has been charged for failing to comply with COVID-19 directives.
The man was refused bail and is set to appear before Albury Local Court on Thursday, July 9.
Coronavirus: Dozens of Jetstar passengers left Sydney airport with no screening
Stern warning to residents as NSW-Victoria border closure looms
“The public is reminded it is an offence to enter NSW from Victoria without a valid exemption,” NSW Police said.
“Police are urging motorists to be ready to provide all relevant documentation and identification at checkpoints to assist with reducing delays.”
Since midnight, when the borders officially closed, more than 50,000 people have crossed into NSW from Victoria.
Before the border closure, NSW Police had a stern warning for Victorians thinking they could sneak into the state.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said 650 NSW police officers would be patrolling the border and 400 Army personnel would join over the weekend.
“If you want to do the wrong thing, you'll be caught. I want to make sure everyone knows we're serious when it comes to issuing these fines. They'll be monetary, and there could be custodial punishments,” NSW Police Minister David Elliott said on Tuesday.
“There are going to be dire consequences for anybody who wants to endanger the health and wellbeing of our citizens.”
While NSW has shut its border to Victoria, anyone who wishes to cross state lines into NSW must have a permit supplied by Service NSW, which will assess applications.
Victoria is grappling with a “second wave” of coronavirus, recording triple digits in daily cases again on Wednesday, with Premier Daniel Andrews confirming 134 cases of coronavirus after Tuesday saw the highest number of confirmed cases in the state in a single day since the start of the pandemic.
Melbourne’s metropolitan area and Mitchell Shire, north of the CBD, are once again subject to a lockdown, with level three restrictions starting from 11.59pm on Wednesday.
Sydney man fined $4000
A Sydney man was refused entry into Queensland and fined $4000 for providing false information on his border declaration.
The 43-year-old Sydney man indicated on his declaration he was travelling from NSW to Queensland for essential medical treatment, police said.
“Police will allege the Sydney man was in possession of false identification, did not require medical treatment and had completed the border declaration fraudulently,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
“The man was refused entry to Queensland and issued with an infringement of $4,003 for failing to comply with the COVID-19 Border Direction.”
Anyone who has entered Queensland since July 3 has been required to fill out a border declaration pass.
Queensland will reopen its borders with all states and territories bar Victoria come Friday. Each individual requesting to enter the state must have a declaration to enter the state.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
