Man is fined $1,378 just for walking outside to take photographs in Queensland's punishing lockdown
- Moreton man had been fined for going to take photos with friends
- Follows the snap lockdown in Queensland that began on July 31
- An additional 14 fines have been given in Moreton area since lockdown started
- Government officials are urging residents to do the right thing and stay at home
A photoshoot with friends has cost a man more than a thousand dollars for breaching lockdown restrictions.
The 31-year-old Burpengary man was issued with a $1378 fine after he was found at North Lakes walking outdoors.
The man told officers he was on his way to take some pictures with friends.
Queensland police (pictured) check on residents in the strict lockdown
A man has been fined $1,378 for breaching the lockdown laws, with 14 other fines issued in the Moreton area (stock image)
It comes as Queensland was plunged into a lockdown on July 31 as they combatted a growing Covid cluster.
The only reasons residents are able to leave home is to obtain essential goods within 10km of their home, for essential work, school or childcare, to exercise with one person within 10km of their home or for healthcare.
Queensland acting Premier Steven Miles commented on Monday that people need to do the right thing and stay at home for the lockdown to be effective.
Share this article
'But for it to work, for us to come out of this at the weekend, we need absolutely everyone in those LGAs to stay at home if they can. It is absolutely critical that people only leave their homes for the four reasons,' he said.
An additional 14 fines have been issued in the Moreton area since lockdown began.
Three men and a woman from Redcliffe were caught travelling to the Sunshine Coast to 'drink and smoke' and now facing penalties totalling more than $5000.
Another woman from the Sunshine Coast was issued a $1378 fine after she was caught on her way to Toowoomba with no valid excuse.
A further three people have received a $206 fine for failing to carry or wear a face mask without an exemption.
Three people have recieved a $206 fine for failing to carry or wear a face mask without exemption (stock image)
The incidents have prompted police to issue a warning, urging residents not to become complacent and to obey the rules.
'In these difficult times, police would prefer not to write these infringements,' Moreton Police community engagement officer Senior Constable Jo Arthur said.
'If people refuse to listen to the warnings and continue to disregard the messaging, then they (police) are left with no option (but) to ensure the safety of all community members.
'Please stay home, help save lives and don't abuse the restrictions. They are there for a reason.'
Police across the region have answered over 160 calls regarding residents not following the lockdown directions since it began.
Fines of over $1000 are being issued for people travelling outside of the 10km radius without a valid excuse or exemption (stock image)
On Wednesday, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said it was up to the community whether the lockdown was extended or not.
'If we do this right over the next five days … we can see the southeast come out of lockdown,' she said.
She said people should not be questioning health directives or trying to find loopholes in the rules.
They also need to use common sense on whether they really need to go out, potentially exposing themselves or others to the virus.
Government officials and police are urging people to do the right thing at stay at home to stop the spread of the deadly Delta variant (stock image)
