Victorian man, 21, is arrested after landing at Sydney Airport without a health exemption and refusing to return to his home state
- Man, 21, was arrested at Sydney Airport because he had no NSW entry permit
- He flew into Sydney about 1pm Wednesday and tried to apply for an exemption
- After multiple failed attempts police found he was using false information
- It comes as NSW confirmed another 18 cases of coronavirus on Thursday
- Venues from Bondi to the inner west closed their doors in the wake of the crisis
A Victorian man has been arrested at Sydney Airport after he landed without an entry permit and refused to return home.
The 21-year-old man arrived in Sydney on Wednesday shortly before 1pm and was unable to show NSW Health officers an exemption to get into the state.
Officers at the airport for Operation Coronavirus were called to assist NSW Health who were talking to the man after he got off his flight.
A Victorian man has been arrested at Sydney Airport after he flew into New South Wales without a permit to enter the state. Pictured: NSW Police look on at the airport on July 6
Police officers wear face masks as they watch passengers arrive from at Sydney Airport on July 07
They were told the man was from Roxbough Park in Victoria and had been allowed to charge his phone to show his permit, but was unable to display one.
The 21-year-old then said he would apply for one so he could care for his children.
Police allege the man attempted to apply for an exemption multiple times but it did not work as he was providing false information.
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The man then revealed he did not actually have any children or a valid excuse to enter NSW.
Officers told him to return back to Victoria and was given suggestions for travel and assistance from NSW Health.
When the man refused to make travel plans and comply with police orders he was arrested and taken to Mascot Police Station about 3.30pm.
Passengers arriving from Melbourne are greeted by staff from NSW Health to check for COVID-19 symptoms at Sydney Airport
Officers searched the man's luggage and found a bottle of alprazolam - also known as Xanax and used to treat anxiety - that was not prescribed to him.
The man was charged with not complying with noticed directions and possessing a prescribed restricted substance.
He was granted conditional bail and is going to quarantine in a Health-managed hotel until he appears at Downing Centre Local Court on August 17.
Police are continuing to urge the community to report suspected breaches and any behaviour that will impact on the health and safety of the community.
NSW confirmed another 18 coronavirus on Thursday as fears of a growing outbreak continue to rise.
Clusters appear to be spreading throughout Sydney in particular, as venues from Bondi to the inner west close their doors in the wake of the crisis.
Pictured are residents from Sydney's eastern suburbs lining up to be tested
Of the 18 latest cases, four are associated with the Thai Rock Wetherill Park cluster in Sydney's south-west which has risen to 89.
Another four are linked to The Apollo restaurant in Potts Point while two are linked to the funeral cluster in Sydney's south-west
Another two are returned travellers in hotel quarantine while six are under investigation.
NSW Health urges anyone who lives in or have visited hotspot areas in the past two weeks to get tested if they start displaying the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms.
They include Potts Point, Carnes Hill shops, Prestons, Bonnyrigg, Wetherill Park, Mt Pritchard, Bankstown City Plaza, Cabramatta and popular ski resort Perisher in southern NSW.
Frank's Pizza Bar in Camperdown (pictured) also closed on Wednesday night after revealing a patron tested positive for the deadly respiratory infection
'We are choosing to close the restaurant until next Tuesday the 4th of August, in order for our restaurant to be professionally deep cleaned,' the owner of Frank's Pizza Bar said in a statement on Wednesday night
Around 27,147 tests were conducted across the state on Wednesday, up from 18,543 on Tuesday.
There are 100 patients in hospital with the virus, including five in intensive care.
Frank's Pizza Bar in the inner-west suburb of Camperdown closed on Wednesday night after revealing a patron tested positive.
'We are choosing to close the restaurant until next Tuesday the 4th of August, in order for our restaurant to be professionally deep cleaned,' the owner said in a statement.
Anyone who dined at the restaurant on July 26 between 6pm to 8pm are urged to monitor for symptoms and immediately self-isolate and seek testing.
The popular ski resort of Perisher has also been rocked by coronavirus fears after initial samples collected at the local sewage treatment plant last week returned a positive result for the presence of COVID-19.
'Further sampling and analysis is required to assess the significance of this initial positive result,' a NSW Health statement read.
'The positive sewage result can be due to shedding of the virus by someone who may have previously had the illness, with the virus "shedding" through their system for up to four weeks later.'
'While no cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Perisher or Thredbo to date, it’s important that anyone who was in this area get tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms.'
Contract tracing and cleaning is underway at western Sydney's Parklea Correctional Centre after an inmate tested positive.
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