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Perth Man Ends Up In Jail For Refusing To Wear Face Mask On First Day Of Lockdown

Perth Man Ends Up In Jail For Refusing To Wear Face Mask On First Day Of Lockdown

Police offered the man a free mask, but he allegedly refused to wear one.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A Perth man will spend the next 18 days in jail until his next court appearance after being charged with not wearing a face mask.

The West Australian city went into lockdown this week after a single case of coronavirus was detected.

Social distancing restrictions and public health requirements were reinstated, which included the wearing of a face mask while in public.

Police will say in court the bloke was found outside a Midland shopping centre without a face covering on Monday (February 1), which was the first day of the lockdown.

While authorities have usually been lenient on the first day of new restrictions, police allege he certainly didn't help his case.

Officers approached the man and told him he had to wear a face covering. They also offered him a free one, however he allegedly refused to put it on.

A police spokesperson said: "Once it was confirmed the man was aware of the legal requirement, had the ability to now comply with that legal requirement, and that he continued to fail to comply the direction, the officers acted in the best interest of the community and arrested him."

PA

That resulted in him being taken into custody and police claim he refused to provide them with his full name or any other information about his identity.

He was charged with failing to comply with a direction and failing to comply with a request to give police personal details.

The Ellenbrook bloke was refused bail and is next expected to face Midland Magistrates Court on February 19.

The single case that sparked the lockdown was the first time in 10 months the state had experienced a community transmitted infection.

Health officials believe the man, aged in his 20s, could have contracted the UK strain of Covid-19 sometime last week.

WA Premier Mark McGowan urged residents on January 8 to have a face mask on hand over fears the UK strain could land in the state. It wasn't mandated in the rules, but strongly encouraged.

"My advice to every family and every household and every person across WA is to make sure you have a reusable mask," he said.

"Make sure you have one - go and buy one. They're out there. You can get them.

"The government has millions on hand, should we need it ... but I just urge everyone in the community, please go and buy a reusable mask, just in case."

The lockdown will be reviewed this Friday (February 5), provided there isn't a big spike in cases.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia