A Wollongong man with COVID-19 is accused of visiting a CBD supermarket, in breach of isolation - while not wearing a face mask.
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Daniel Kennedy, 22, tested positive for COVID on September 8 and was directed to self-isolate.
A set of alleged police facts said officers patrolling Wollongong on the morning of Saturday, September 18 allegedly saw Kennedy crossing Burelli Street without a face mask and walking up the steps towards the entrance of Woolworths.
Police stopped and entered the supermarket, finding Kennedy allegedly still lacking a face mask.
It was alleged that when they asked for identification, Kennedy told them he did not have any and then proceeded to give them fake names and dates of birth.
The officers conducted checks and found nothing, then told Kennedy they were going to search him for some form of identification as they believed he was lying.
After the officers requested a field identification kit, Kennedy allegedly said words to the effect of, "OK, I lied, I will give you my name", and provided his correct details.
He was then arrested and taken back to the Wollongong police station.
Police checks revealed that on September 14, officers attended the Dapto address Kennedy had given NSW Health, which was his grandmother's home, but she allegedly said she had not seen her grandson for weeks.
The following day police called Kennedy's phone number but he allegedly hung up and could not be reached any further.
Kennedy appeared at Wollongong Bail Court on Sunday, charged with failing to comply with a self-isolation direction and not wearing a fitted face covering in a business premises.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Shannon Ryan opposed the man's release on bail, citing concerns of endangering the community, failing to appear at court, and committing offences.
Sergeant Ryan said up to 100 people were at the supermarket when Kennedy allegedly attended.
"The danger he has posed to those people, and the community in general, is significant," he said.
Sergeant Ryan said Kennedy had breaches of court orders on his record, and he was likely to disregard the public health orders too.
Defence lawyer Claire Carpenter said the court could subject Kennedy to a 24-hour curfew and he had permission to reside with a family member.
Ms Carpenter said Kennedy was looking at a 14-day wait before he could appear before a magistrate, a term in custody that was approaching the upper end of penalties imposed for this offending.
But registrar Cally D'Arcy said she was concerned for the safety of the community and denied Kennedy bail.
He will appear at Wollongong Local Court on Monday.
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