WA man set to be first Australian fitted with tracking device for alleged COVID-19 breach

A 53-year-old man accused of breaching quarantine directions and sparking a COVID-19 scare at a Perth pub is set to become the first person in the country to be fitted with a tracking ankle bracelet.

Key points:

• The alleged offence occurred just hours after the man landed in WA
• He was tested for COVID-19 but returned a negative result
• If convicted, he faces a hefty fine or up to 12 months in prison

Police allege Paul John Lawrence had been visiting family in Queensland and returned to WA on Friday without first applying for permission to return to the state.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Steel said Mr Lawrence complained of chest pains when he arrived at Perth Airport so was taken to hospital for treatment.

It is alleged he then defied a direction to wait for transport to a quarantine hotel and instead left the hospital and checked into a backpacker hostel in Northbridge.

Mr Lawrence was found by police at the Hotel Northbridge soon after, and the pub was closed overnight as a precaution.

WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts said he was now under police guard in hotel quarantine and had tested negative for coronavirus.

She said work was being done to progress a direction under the Emergency Management Act to have Mr Lawrence fitted with an ankle bracelet for the remainder of his time in quarantine.

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