The first person to face charges in the ACT for allegedly failing to comply with COVID-19 health directions has been released on bail, having spent the weekend behind bars.
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Simeon Cassar, 41, was arrested at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy last Thursday after allegedly entering the ACT without the necessary health exemption.
Since July 8, non-ACT residents have been required to obtain approval from the territory's chief health officer before travelling in from Victoria, which has been battling a significant spike in coronavirus cases.
In court documents, police allege that Mr Cassar tried to leave Victoria without a permit in the early hours of last Wednesday morning, resulting in him being turned back at the closed NSW border.
Police say the man subsequently managed to cross into NSW undetected before turning up in the ACT later that morning.
He was refused bail in the ACT Magistrates Court last Friday, despite failing to comply with COVID-19 health directions being an offence punishable only by a fine.
Magistrate James Lawton found Mr Cassar was still likely at that point to endanger the community because even though he had tested negative for COVID-19 since his arrest, follow-up tests were still necessary to completely clear him of infection.
The matter was not expected back in court until this Thursday, but it was re-listed on Monday morning.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Wren told the court there was "no proper basis" for Mr Cassar to stay remanded in custody.
Ms Wren noted that Mr Cassar had expressed an intention to self-isolate at the Tent Embassy, but she said Aboriginal elders had "declined that option" and did not want him there.
Mr Cassar wore a face mask as he was patched into the court via audio-visual link.
Magistrate Louise Taylor granted him bail, telling him he must comply with any directions from ACT Health in relation to self-isolation and COVID-19 testing, and reside as directed by ACT Corrective Services.
When told he could not stay at the Tent Embassy, Mr Cassar replied: "I have money. I can pay for a hotel room. I have thousands of dollars in my bank account."
The court has previously heard that he ordinarily lives in Brisbane, but court documents say he has no fixed address.
Mr Cassar's case is due to return to court on August 10. He has been excused from appearing on that date if he is legally represented.
He is yet to enter a plea to the charge of failing to comply with a direction from the chief health officer.
