April 24, 2020
A statewide blitz to enforce coronavirus quarantine orders has highlighted that most Queenslanders are complying.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the blitz, carried out earlier this week, showed 93 per cent of individuals were complying and staying home as required.
“The vast majority of Queenslanders under quarantine are doing the right thing and staying at home,” she said.
“It’s great to see 93 per cent playing by the rules, but we want to get that up to 100 per cent.
“There are currently around 3500 Queenslanders under quarantine or self-isolation, and they hold the fate of five million fellow Queenslanders in their hands.
“We need them to stay at home – and not to go the shops, not leave home for exercise, not have visitors around.
“You’re not being asked to stay home for the rest of your life, just 14 days.
“Anyone who thinks they can flagrantly disregard the rules and get away with it can think again.
“If you break quarantine, even if you just take the dog out for a walk, you’ll be automatically fined $1334 – and in some cases you can be fined up to $13,345.”
The blitz included:
- 3410 random telephone calls
- 2000 text messages
- 158 home visits
Of the 158 home visits, 147 were in compliance and eight were non-compliant, including six people who had returned to NSW and two who had illegitimate details.
There were also two people who claimed they needed to seek medical treatment and one was not at location and is under further investigation.
Mrs D’Ath said Queensland’s coronavirus enforcement taskforce was growing in capability.
“Around 500 public servants are in line to undertake online training for contact tracing to create a ready-reserve for potential deployment to public health units,” she said.
“The staff will begin online training next week.
“If a surge of cases happens, we have more staff ready to go.”
