ACT police conduct more than 3500 Covid compliance checks

With more than 11,000 Canberrans currently in isolation at home, the Australian Federal Police have pulled staff from other roles to ensure people are in their homes.

Police have conducted more than 80 in-person checks, 3500 phone calls, more than 840 traffic stops to ensure people aren't travelling from restricted areas and 50 visits to hotels.

The increased hotel surveillance comes after a large group of guests were found to be in breach of Sydney stay-at-home orders at a hotel in Braddon on Saturday.

Police have also increased their presence on Canberra streets this week in an effort to enforce the mask mandate, following the introduction of the health directive on Monday.

Acting Deputy Chief Police Officer Hall O'Meagher said while it was always a stretch to provide an escalated presence, police would not be hindered in their day-to-day law enforcement.

"The longer they drag on the harder it is, of course," he said.

"But at the moment we are handling it quite well."

Mr O'Meagher reported overall compliance during week one of the mask mandate in the ACT, despite 60 reports of suspected rule breaking from members of the public.

Despite the looming introduction of mandatory check in at an increased list of venues, Mr O'Meagher said this would not be policed at supermarkets.

"Police won't be taking active checks but if there's breaches we can take action," Deputy O'Meagher said.

He said police would work with ACT government to monitor the check ins.

"We just urge all Canberrans to not be complacent in the current environment and to remain vigilant and continue to follow the health directives," he said.

READ MORE:

"If people don't comply with the directions they are liable to receive an infringement for that."

Anyone found in breach of the mask mandate or stay-at-home orders risks a fine of $1000 or $8000 if the matter goes before the court.

Mr O'Meagher asked members of the public to continue to inform police of non-compliance concerns, rather than take matters into their own hands.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said her office had received a number of calls from people with disability and people with health conditions who were unable to wear a mask and who had received abuse.

"If someone's not wearing a mask, there may be a very legitimate reason for that," Ms Stephen-Smith said.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: