A woman has been arrested for allegedly continuing to operate a business ordered to temporarily close for breaching coronavirus health directions, the ABC reports.
Darwin’s lockdown, imposed to slow a COVID-19 outbreak linked to a remote gold mine, lifted last Friday, but people are still expected to wear masks in confined spaces and check in to businesses.
Northern Territory Police say they visited a Nightcliff business, which the ABC understands to be the Souvlaki Grill and Chill, on Tuesday night to issue a closure notice after “a number of visits” during the week.
Police allege several people were not wearing masks during the Tuesday night visit and there was no way for people to check in to the business, contrary to health directions.
According to the ABC, the business was ordered to temporarily close and fined $25,280.
Despite this, NT police confirmed they returned to the store on Wednesday afternoon and arrested a female employee who they say was continuing to work at the store.
Before the arrest, authorities said the actions that led to the closure notice were disappointing.
“It is astounding that individuals are still failing to comply with restrictions imposed by the CHO for serious public health concerns,” Incident Controller, Sachin Sharma, said in a statement released before the arrest.
“Shutting down a locally owned business is the very last thing any of us wanted to do at this time.”
Police said the business was given “ample opportunity” to comply with directions throughout the week. It will remain closed until compliance officers are satisfied health directions will be met.
The business declined to comment to the ABC.
Source: ABC News.
