Two men have been charged with acting to cause public alarm after claiming to have COVID-19 and attempting to infect staff in separate incidents in Canberra City on Friday.
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About 3pm a man was asked to leave a premises in the city. He allegedly refused and shortly after spat on a number of tables, allegedly making a statement that he was infected with COVID-19 and now everyone else at the premises would have to be tested.
Shortly after, the 57-year-old Hackett man was arrested by police and charged with acting to cause public alarm.
Police allege at 8pm a different man became irate with staff at a second city premises. He allegedly coughed towards staff and continued to do so through gaps in shutters closed by the staff.
The man, a 28-year-old from O'Connor, was arrested by police and charged with acting to cause public alarm.
There is no information to suggest either man is infected with COVID-19 or has had contact with any infected person.
Both men will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday.
Police are reminding the community that threats involving COVID-19 will be treated seriously and penalties, including jail time, can be imposed.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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