Northern Territory Police are investigating breaches of quarantine at the Alice Springs Quarantine Facility yesterday.

Two sisters, aged 19 and 22, allegedly left the facility by climbing over the perimeter fence to a waiting vehicle.

They drove directly to their mother’s residence, who informed authorities of the breach. One daughter returned to quarantine, accompanied by her mother. The second daughter was in the company of her boyfriend and was initially uncooperative when directed to return to the quarantine facility.

Both the mother and the boyfriend were directed by the Chief Health Officer into mandatory supervised quarantine.

The incident was controlled quickly, with both women, their mother and the boyfriend of one all in quarantine.

During their absence from the facility, it is understood the women had not attended any other locations, nor had they come into contact with others.

Commander Sachin Sharma said, “It’s incredible that after all this time, with deaths and lockdowns, people are still not taking this pandemic seriously.

“The reason we have no community transmission in the Territory and that we are safe is because we have been diligent in ensuring anyone potentially at risk is quarantined. Incidents like to this place the wider NT community in danger and will not be tolerated. We must continue to remain vigilant and follow all Directions of the Chief Health Officer.”

Investigations are continuing, with infringements likely to be issued today.

The infringement penalty for failing to abide by the Chief Health Officer’s Directions issued under section 56 of the Public and Environment Health Act 2011 is $5,056 for an individual and $25,280 for a business.

For more information on COVID-19, visit www.coronavirus.nt.gov.au