THE police team responsible for COVID-19 checks in the ACT ran into a few surprises over the weekend, according to chief police officer Neil Gaughan.

Turns out people quarantining at hotels and at home have, so far, been 100 per cent compliant, even if they weren’t all clothed!

“Compliance checks were conducted on 367 people over the past three days in hotels and at home, and all 367 people were where they had to be,” Mr Gaughan says.

“Some of them may need a reminder to put some clothes on before they open the door for a compliance check. We did get a few surprises on the weekend.”

Businesses, over the weekend, didn’t get the same glowing report from police, with a number of them required to tighten COVID-19 measures and controls.

“What I am concerned about going forward is a small number of businesses that aren’t fully complying with all health directions. So let me be clear, any business found intentionally breaching COVID-19 health directions will be issued with an infringement notice,” Mr Gaughan says.

“We have all had many weeks to become familiar with, and fully understand, the health advice so any business not following directions can now expect stronger enforcement action. Police will always have discretion when enforcing laws, but there is no excuse to risk the safety of the Canberra community.

“We will continue to monitor business compliance, and if any business is still not following the health directions, like not having a COVID Safe plan, police will issue an infringement.”