Yahoo Finance $200 on-the-spot fines as Sydney enters lockdown
Sydneysiders failing to wear a mask in indoor settings and on public transport risk $200 fines as the city enters a seven-day lockdown.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the stay-at-home orders on Friday morning as COVID-19 cases continue to increase.
It includes all residents of the Sydney City, Woollahra, Randwick and Waverley local government areas (LGAs), along with workers who have worked in those LGAs at any time in the last 14 days.
People will be allowed to leave their homes for essential work, exercise, to purchase groceries or for medical or compassionate needs.
However, failure to wear a mask while in a public indoor setting like a supermarket, takeaway restaurant or on public transport can result in an on-the-spot fine of $200.
Masks must also be worn while in places of worship.
The NSW government first introduced the penalties in January 2021 amid the northern beaches lockdown.
The fines apply to all residents in the Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas.
However, those not impacted by the inner-Sydney stay-at-home rules are not required to wear a mask while dining at a restaurant or cafe.
Hundreds stung already by COVID fines
NSW Police has already issued 150 cautions to people failing to wear masks in public indoor setting, deputy commissioner Gary Worboys said on Thursday.
The police are now moving away from warnings and into penalties, he added.
"We are moving much further into a compliance and enforcement regime around the order rather than a simple education response to people,” he said.
“There are clearly people now who want to be mischievous.
“Those people will be spoken to by police and will be issued with a penalty notice rather than given the option of a caution.”
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