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A Sydney venue was fined $ 5,000 for allowing at least 600 wedding guests, nearly double its safe capacity for Covid, as authorities ponder more severe penalties.
Stock image of a wedding ceremony. Source: Photos.com
The rape at the wedding reception in Fairfield, in the southwest of the city, has left politicians and police outraged, as it is located only 10 kilometers from the Berala Covid-19 access point.
Police attended the scene Saturday and estimated that at least 600 people were at the front desk, despite a safe Covid capacity of 350.
The guests have yet to be penalized, but the operator of the venue, a 46-year-old man, was fined $ 5,000 for violating public health orders.
After the police intervened, many guests were ordered to leave.
Acting Prime Minister John Barilaro is furious about the violation.
“When you have a deliberate act like the operators of the place … in this case we have an example of someone who has done very badly,” Barilaro told reporters today.
“You put your business, your reputation, the reputation of that business, (more) the industry, the overall economy, jobs and the health of this state at risk.”
Barilaro acknowledged that the $ 5,000 fine may be insufficient given the amount of income the wedding venue likely earned.
He said New South Wales health authorities would consider tightening sanctions.
Acting Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon also called the violation “significant” and said its potential health consequences were immense.
On Monday, NSW police also revealed that they had twice fined a 27-year-old Cronulla woman in Byron Bay for failing to isolate herself or get tested, despite being a close contact for a Covid-positive case. 19.
Two Collaroy locals were also fined for leaving their beaches north of home in contravention of stay-at-home orders to travel to Yamba in northern New South Wales.
