Police Powers on Public Gatherings

Police Powers to Enforce Restrictions on Public Gatherings and Movement

There are two broad categories of restriction contained in the Legislation being a restriction on people’s movement outside their home and a restriction on people grouping in numbers greater than 2 in public.

Part 1 – directs that people are not to leave their home without reasonable excuse and reasonable excuse is defined as:

Part 2 – restricts people from gathering in groups larger than 2 persons save for:

The Legislation further sets out which business premises and public spaces are presently restricted from opening whatsoever and the limits that apply to businesses which remain open.

These new powers are in addition to those announced last week allowing Police to issue fines for people found not to be observing the social distancing rules or for disobeying a self-quarantine directive.

We have received many enquiries as to whether or the restrictions on movement and meeting prevent separated parents from effecting changeover with children in accordance with existing arrangements or Orders.

Schedule 1. to the Legislation specifically exempts such changeover from sanction and parents should endeavour to make all reasonable adjustments necessary in order to give effect to existing arrangements and Orders. If you have any questions regarding the effect of the restrictions upon your co-parenting relationship and the time the child is to spend with the other parent please contact us to discuss.

At Equilaw we are committed to assisting our local community during these difficult times and should you have any questions related to these new restrictions please contact our office on 02 6542 5566 for a telephone appointment. Stay safe.