AFTER a “disappointing” weekend of businesses being non-compliant with virus restrictions, Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith is threatening fines.

“Our preference is to not issue fines [but] enforcement action will be taken if that is what is required to ensure compliance with our restrictions,” says Minster Stephen-Smith after Access Canberra had about 3800 engagements and checks with businesses in the region, and were forced to attend more than 100 premises.

“There was a significant degree of non-compliance observed across the weekend following the latest change of restrictions, particularly at some larger licensed venues as well as some restaurants and businesses,” she says.  

According to Ms Stephen-Smith, some venues had too many people inside the premises and were not sticking to the one person per four sqm rule.

“Unfortunately, over the weekend on several occasions, Access Canberra and ACT Policing did have to ask businesses to reduce their patron numbers,” she says.  

There were also people standing and drinking, and Ms Stephen Smith says: “The rule about being able to have a drink without food is that it’s a maximum of 10 people in a group seated.”

Minster Stephen-Smith also used this warning to remind Canberrans that restrictions could be reversed if not everyone is playing their part to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.