DOZENS OF COVID COPS LAID LOW
POLICE have fined high-end Hope Island restaurant Artichoke $6892 for failing to comply with vaccine mandates, as the Covid wave hit dozens of officers.
Police conducted “business compliance” checks at more than 250 venues between Friday and Monday morning, not including 22 undertaken at shopping centres – but the Hope Island business was the only one fined.
Police received 33 calls for help, including 14 relating to individuals flouting the mandates and abusing workers, and 19 related to non-compliant operators.
Gold Coast Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said all 14 individuals “left prior” to the time police arrived, despite extra officers being rostered on.
“We have seen an incredible number of compliance activities going on over the 72-hour period. Can I say, thank you to the Gold Coast community,” he said.
Previously, Glen Day – operator of Pancakes in Paradise, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, Montezuma’s Surfers Paradise and The Aztec Broadbeach and Coolangatta – spoke out against the mandates.
On Monday, Act Supt Wildman said a business,
WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF COMPLIANCE ACTIVITIES GOING ON OVER THE 72-HOUR PERIOD. CAN I SAY, THANK YOU TO THE GOLD COAST COMMUNITY
ACT SUPT RHYS WILDMAN
understood to be Pancakes in Paradise, was checked and four non-compliant unvaccinated staff were told to stop work.
He said police were “pleasantly surprised” with the behaviour of the public and businesses, considering the number of checks and complaints received. “Our officers on the Gold Coast have again done an outstanding job in supporting Queensland Health in achieving those health outcomes.”
Police were not advised of any fake vaccine certificates being presented.
Act Supt Wildman also spoke about the Surfers Paradise police officer who tested positive to Covid-19, and was adamant there was minimal risk to the public.
The officer was on leave, but did attend a work Christmas party with about 50 colleagues.
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said two officers had tested positive on the Coast and one in Logan – forcing 101 cops to isolate.
Fifty-two Coast officers were isolating and 49 from Logan, he said.
“I’m assured ... our business continuity planning is sound,” he said. “I’m comfortable where that is at the moment, and we will continue to monitor that. If we see any pressures on Gold Coast for instance, we will bring police in from other areas. We have the flexibility to do that.”
During the height of the pandemic 1300 staff were tied up with Covid duties daily, compared to just 500 now, he said.
“We’re not sitting here waiting for things to happen, we have been planning for this,” Mr Gollschewski said.
Despite the number of officers affected the police district was not stretched and would respond as normal, Act Supt Wildman said. Surfers Paradise Police Station has been deemed safe and reopened.
Regarding the borders, which reopened last week, Act Supt Wildman said 35,500 vehicles crossed on Saturday alone. Eighty vehicles were turned around due to noncompliance.”
Most of those turned around had not yet received results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
Act Supt Wildman said the lack of vehicles turned back was an “outstanding result”.