Bondi partygoers fined for COVID breach

NSW Police said they were called to a home in North Bondi just before 11pm on Saturday after receiving multiple noise complaints.At least 40 people were found at the party when officers arrived at the Blair Street address but most managed to run from the house when police arrived.NSW Police said they spoke with 11 people, including two residents of the property and nine visitors, who remained at the house.Two women – aged 24 and 26 – and nine men – aged 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, and three aged 24 – were handed $1000 fines for breaching the COVID-19 public health order.The two residents were also issued with a 28-day noise abatement direction and their guests were directed to leave the area.Police said they were still investigating to try and identify other partygoers who were in attendance.

Only 10 adult guests were allowed to visit homes in greater Sydney under the NSW Health directions in place on Boxing Day.Police have also issued five other coronavirus penalty infringement notices since December 23, including two businesses that were slapped with $5000 fines.One restaurant owner in King Street, Newtown was fined $5000 after police found a crowd on the footpath outside his business due to a large number of people waiting inside about 7.40pm on December 23.Officers determined there were 27 more people inside the restaurant than what was allowed for the space and the owner, a 45-year-old man, told police he did not have a COVID Safe plan.Another restaurant in Tindall Street, Campbelltown was fined $5000 on Christmas Eve when police visited and found the business had exceeded their capacity by at least 15 people.

“During the conversation, staff continued to seat more customers inside the restaurant and police issued a direction for no more people to enter the venue,” NSW Police said.“Further inquiries revealed the restaurant had been given a formal warning earlier in the month for exceeding capacity by more than 65 people.”Three other people were also were also fined $1000 for public health order breaches, including a northern beaches woman – a 32-year-old from Collaroy – who travelled to Bligh Park, about 58km west of Sydney, on Christmas Eve.Two men, aged 25 and 22, were also fined after a group of people were found gathered in Centennial Park about 8pm on Christmas.Police have urged the community to continue to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
jack.paynter@news.com.au