Perth bar hosts NYE party with 300 people in breach of COVID-19 restrictions
Hundreds of people breached Western Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions to celebrate New Year’s Eve at a party held in a Perth bar.
Operators of bar, The George, are now facing up to $250,000 in fines and are at risk of losing their liquor licence over the illegal event.
Police found the bar’s doors locked and the windows blacked out when they attended about 11.30pm yesterday.
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said police had to scale walls to find the 300 party-goers inside.
“My officers had to climb walls to get inside and eventually got in through other doors,” he said.
The large group was unmasked and it is believed the group destroyed the venue’s QR posters.
Nightclubs, music events and dancing are currently banned under Western Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions, while only seated service is permitted in bars.
Masks are required in all public indoor settings.
Commissioner Dawson said the people involved in the party had shown a “blatant disregard” for the health laws with their “selfish behaviour”.
In a separate incident, WA Police charged a 42-year-old Yokine man for hosting a Boxing Day party in breach of COVID-19 restrictions.
The man advertised the boat party as a ticketed event, which took place on a chartered boat that departed the Barrack St Jetty in Perth at 6.20pm on December 26.
According to police, a video of the event posted on social media showed people standing in close proximity, dancing to music and consuming alcohol.
Police have said patrons did not appear to be wearing face masks.
The man will be issued with a $5000 fine.
