A group of tourists has been referred to police after travelling to Parliament House in Canberra from a coronavirus red zone in Sydney.
ACT Health received reports of a potential breach of travel restrictions after the group from the Cumberland area of western Sydney visited Parliament House on Tuesday.
The Cumberland local government area remains a no-go travel zone for the ACT and individuals can be fined up to $8000 for breaching the travel restrictions.
“The report was received from the COVID Taskforce at Parliament House and has been referred to ACT Policing for investigation,” a spokesman said on Wednesday.
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The agencies are working together to examine the incident.
“ACT Policing would like to remind the community to follow all public health directions and COVID-19 protocols, including quarantine and self-isolation directions,” a police spokeswoman said.
Police have confirmed the group visit was not connected to a peaceful Invasion Day protest that took place outside Parliament House on Tuesday morning.
Department of Parliamentary Services staff are deep-cleaning parts of the building.
“DPS is aware a group of people potentially from a designated COVID-19 affected area of NSW visited the ACT yesterday, against ACT public health directions, and including a visit to Parliament House,” a spokeswoman said.
“DPS has been in contact with ACT Health and provided relevant information to authorities as well as undertaking cleaning in line with COVID-safe plans for the building.”
The potential breach was reportedly discovered after a member of the group provided their postcode while purchasing a souvenir from the gift shop.
Federal parliament resumes next week, with thousands of politicians and staff returning to the building.
-AAP
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