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Regional COVID-19 charges

Jackson Lavell-LeeBusselton Dunsborough Times
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson, Health Minister Roger Cook and Premier Mark McGowan announce measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Two men in regional areas have now been charged for allegedly breaking the emergency laws.
Camera IconPolice Commissioner Chris Dawson, Health Minister Roger Cook and Premier Mark McGowan announce measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Two men in regional areas have now been charged for allegedly breaking the emergency laws. Credit: Danella Bevis/The West Australian, Danella Bevis

Two men have been charged with COVID-19 related crimes in regional WA.

A 36-year-old Kardinya man allegedly ignored a biosecurity checkpoint and entered Broome town site as a non-essential traveller and was charged with one count of fail to comply with emergency requirements.

Under Commonwealth laws, access to prescribed biosecurity areas is restricted as part of efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Western Australia.

Broome police will allege on Friday morning the man was denied entry to the Kimberly region at the Sandfire checkpoint, he was travelling from the Pilbara.

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It will be further alleged that at around 10.50pm on Saturday police attended a premises in Louis Street, Broome and located the man in his vehicle.

The man did not fall within any of the categories of exemption, therefore he was not authorised to enter the biosecurity area.

The man was arrested and remains in custody until he appears in Northbridge Magistrates Court via video link today.

A 73-year-old Geraldton man was charged with fail to comply with a direction after ignoring the order to self-quarantine after returning from New Zealand on Thursday.

Police will allege the man was seen by residents of his retirement village talking to others in close proximity outside his unit, leaving to attend the local shops and riding his push bike in the area.

He is due to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on April 16.

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