A Byron Bay restaurant has been slapped with a $5,000 fine for allegedly breaching COVID restrictions.
Officers say there was more than one person per four square metres at the Miss Margarita bar on Jonson Street over a two-day period.
Police contacted the business owner yesterday and issued a $5,000 Penalty Infringement Notice for “Fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to Section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 – Corporation”.
Tweed/Byron Police District Commander, Superintendent Dave Roptell said as thousands of school leavers arrive in Byron this week, venues need to be aware of their responsibilities in maintaining a COVID-Safe environment.
“There are Year 12 students coming to Byron Bay from all across Australia, including Victoria, Queensland and Greater Sydney.
“Our specialised licensing police will continue to conduct business inspections and compliance checks throughout the entire ‘Schoolies’ and ‘Summer Safe’ operations, to ensure venues have their COVID-Safety plans up-to-date and are doing their bit to protect the Northern NSW community,” Supt Roptell said.
Police are appealing for members of the public to report suspected breaches to Crime Stoppers.
