Add Category
Updated
Queensland police have issued 58 COVID-19 infringement notices at a large car rally in Rochedale, south of Brisbane.
Key points:
- Queensland authorities were frustrated by the gathering, where "everyone was breaching the social-distancing rules"
- The state disaster coordinator said the behaviour was appalling
- A number of the drivers tried to escape and got bogged in nearby grassland
The $1,334 fines were issued for failing to comply with safety measures issued by Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young.
Police descended on a warehouse carpark at Brickworks Place about 10:00pm on Saturday, after being alerted to a large public gathering.
State disaster coordinator deputy commissioner Steve Gollschewski said officers saw appalling behaviour.
"We saw at least 150 vehicles on our estimation gathered in that area and everyone was breaching the social-distancing rules that we have in this state," Mr Gollschewski said.
"It is inexcusable what happened at Rochedale on Saturday night and such blatant disregard for the lives of Queenslanders will not be tolerated."
Multiple police units responded and many of the cars attempted to flee the area, with some driving across grassland and becoming bogged in the process.
Mr Gollschewski said it was all about keeping the community safe.
"This is all about safety, about saving lives, about stopping the spread of COVID-19," he said.
"Every single one of us must do our bit. We are in this together."
What the experts are saying about coronavirus:
Topics: crime, police, covid-19, rochedale-4123, qld, australia
First posted