Man charged after allegedly claiming he had COVID-19 to avoid work

A Wollongong man is facing criminal charges after allegedly claiming he had coronavirus to avoid going to work.

The 23-year-old allegedly sent a text to his employer on Monday saying he had tested positive to COVID-19 and was unable to go to work in Newcastle.

His co-workers were forced to be stood down and self-isolate while awaiting their test results, and several locations near his workplace also required deep cleaning.

LIVE UPDATES: Victorians wake to sixth lockdown

READ MORE: Week-long COVID exposure alert for south-west Sydney KFC

Later that day, the man allegedly told his employer his second test returned a negative result.

Inquiries later revealed the man never received a positive test result.

The matter was referred to police and around 1pm yesterday he was arrested and charged with fraud.

The West Wollongong man was granted bail to appear before the court next month.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

from 9News https://ift.tt/3lBP516
via IFTTT