Covid: Woman in Australia jailed for six months over quarantine breach

[KingKhanWC]

A woman has been jailed for six months in Australia for breaching coronavirus quarantine rules.

Asher Faye Vander Sanden, 28, had spent a month in the state of Victoria, which has been hit heavily by Covid-19.

She was permitted to fly home to Perth, Western Australia, and quarantine in a hotel for 14 days at her own expense.

But she instead arrived secretly in the state in a truck and stayed at her partner's home, where she was later arrested.
In Western Australia, people found to have broken quarantine laws face a maximum penalty of 12 months' imprisonment or a $50,000 (£27,000) fine

Vander Sanden's lawyer, John Hammond, said she had travelled to Victoria to take care of her unwell sister, but returned because she couldn't cope.

She self-quarantined at her partner's home and did not have contact with anyone else, the lawyer said.

But Senior Constable McDowall called Vander Sanden "deceitful and dishonest" and called for jail time.

Magistrate Andrew Matthews said she had committed "a very serious offence" that could have resulted in an outbreak of the virus, and sentenced her to six months behind bars.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-53903498

The woman used a truck instead of a plane, isolated with her partner instead of in a hotel and this warranted 6 months in jail!?
[MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION] Are Aussies happy with such strong punishments?

 

[sweep_shot]

Six months!

Too harsh.

Should have been a fine only.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Well I just hope the Australian police would go after Aussie celebrities and dignitaries with the same fervour. We have had the Chief Advisor to the PM who was caught breaking quarantine rules during lockdown in England, and he basically shrugged it off with an apology. He didn't even lose his job let alone get charged with a jailable offence.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Six months!

Too harsh.

Should have been a fine only.

Being in prison can ruin a persons life esp if they are no hard criminals.

Australia wont be the only country going forward. It may be once the vaccine is released, similar or stronger sentences could be applied if it becomes mandatory.

 

[Varun]

Being in prison can ruin a persons life esp if they are no hard criminals.

Australia wont be the only country going forward. It may be once the vaccine is released, similar or stronger sentences could be applied if it becomes mandatory.

It won't be mandatory. Instead, the world will mould itself to make you have the vaccine anyway: "Want to fly Mr. Khan? Please present your Covid-vaccine certificate at check-in and at your port of destination." , "A room for two Mr. Khan? Absolutely - please quote your Vaccine ID and date to complete your booking" etc. etc.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Six months!

Too harsh.

Should have been a fine only.

This mentality is why we are failing in Canada. People are crossing border ‘supposedly going to Alaska’ but end up in Banff(which is opposite to Alaska). People who are caught are slapped with ‘$1000’ fine and let go. Do you really think those who break rules and pay $1000 fine would give a crap about quarantine and safety of others?

Jail time is best thing to do, and perhaps criminal record to deter others breaking quarantine rules. Australia is doing right thing with zero tolerance on those who break rules.
Wish Canada was this tough.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Being in prison can ruin a persons life esp if they are no hard criminals.

Australia wont be the only country going forward. It may be once the vaccine is released, similar or stronger sentences could be applied if it becomes mandatory.

And what about those who break rules intentionally or unintentionally infecting others that could literally kill them?

If you break rules then you should be ready to face the consequences. If someone wants to avoid having criminal record, then simply follow the rules set by govt. Its not that hard, is it?

 

[KingKhanWC]

It won't be mandatory. Instead, the world will mould itself to make you have the vaccine anyway: "Want to fly Mr. Khan? Please present your Covid-vaccine certificate at check-in and at your port of destination." , "A room for two Mr. Khan? Absolutely - please quote your Vaccine ID and date to complete your booking" etc. etc.

Unless they have microchip, I've know a few hounrouable doctors could help me out.

 

[Varun]

Unless they have microchip, I've know a few hounrouable doctors could help me out.

And why is it that you don't want to take a vaccine? Do you believe the process will be rushed and the vaccine unsafe?

 

[KingKhanWC]

And what about those who break rules intentionally or unintentionally infecting others that could literally kill them?

If you break rules then you should be ready to face the consequences. If someone wants to avoid having criminal record, then simply follow the rules set by govt. Its not that hard, is it?

Have you read this case? The woman travelled ONLY to help a sick person. She returned and self isolated with her partner, making no contact with anyone else. 6 months jail sentence is not proporational to the crime, in fact she had less contact with people travelling via truck than she would have had travelling by plane. 6 months is not a short time to be in prison. Peadophiles with child images dont recieve custodial senetences. The law in some nations has become a joke.

 

[KingKhanWC]

And why is it that you don't want to take a vaccine? Do you believe the process will be rushed and the vaccine unsafe?

Yes rushed and there is a lot of evidence vaccines can cause more harm than good. I would rather just be infected and recover as I have no underlying health issues, I hardly get a cold or cough. Usain Bolt has tested positive but has no symptoms. Only those who may end up in a serious condition should be given the vaccine. As for protecting others, again those at risk should be cautious, as I would.

This pandemic has been overhyped, the % of people dying is very very low.

 

[Varun]

Yes rushed and there is a lot of evidence vaccines can cause more harm than good. I would rather just be infected and recover as I have no underlying health issues, I hardly get a cold or cough.

What about polio/hepatitis/chicken pox etc. etc.? You've lived vaccine free all this while?

 

[CanadianG00se]

Have you read this case? The woman travelled ONLY to help a sick person. She returned and self isolated with her partner, making no contact with anyone else. 6 months jail sentence is not proporational to the crime, in fact she had less contact with people travelling via truck than she would have had travelling by plane. 6 months is not a short time to be in prison. Peadophiles with child images dont recieve custodial senetences. The law in some nations has become a joke.

Did you MISSED THE PART where it says she “crossed in a truck and didn’t report to authorities”.

Stop twisting the facts.

 

[KingKhanWC]

What about polio/hepatitis/chicken pox etc. etc.? You've lived vaccine free all this while?

Nothing, last I had a TB test when at school but nothing was required. My parents didnt bother with child vaccines as those days it wasnt a requirement. I dont take paracetomal or any pills. I used to take hay fever tablets but stopped those too as I know use natural high quality honey, which has pretty much cured it. I've been playing sport since I was 3, go gym 5 times a week, eat fruit, nuts, salads, grilled meat. Drink loads of water and prefer to have a laugh and deal with it , instead of worrying. The NHS sent me a letter asking me to take part in an anti-body trial to see im immune to this, possibly due to little or no health records history since I was born. Of course I threw the letter in the bin. I could be killed at any time, hit by a bus but my health is in my control and thats how I would like to be.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Did you MISSED THE PART where it says she “crossed in a truck and didn’t report to authorities”.

Stop twisting the facts.

You're having trouble reading.

I wrote "in fact she had less contact with people travelling via truck than she would have had travelling by plane."

You have less contact with people travelling in a truck than you have in a plane, airport etc. By your logic and the Aussie judge, because she had less contact with others travelling by truck, she is evil so lock her up for 6 months lol.

 

[Gilly]

Have you read this case? The woman travelled ONLY to help a sick person. She returned and self isolated with her partner, making no contact with anyone else. 6 months jail sentence is not proporational to the crime, in fact she had less contact with people travelling via truck than she would have had travelling by plane. 6 months is not a short time to be in prison. Peadophiles with child images dont recieve custodial senetences. The law in some nations has become a joke.

Quite the opposite actually, if the 200 odd people that came by plane had all did what she did then instead of the government being able to isolate immediately there would have been 200 people in the general public that could spread the virus anywhere at anytime.

This woman would have used restrooms and other facilities with the potential of spreading the virus into countless communities that have worked very hard to isolate the virus.

Businesses are losing thousands of dollars, workers are staying home losing wages, people have sacrificed a huge amount to keep control of the virus and for her to risk everything that has been done was life threatening to some.

 

[Gilly]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-53903498

The woman used a truck instead of a plane, isolated with her partner instead of in a hotel and this warranted 6 months in jail!?

[MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION] Are Aussies happy with such strong punishments?

So the government have set up a system that contains people coming into the state and prevents them from contacting the public and spreading the virus.

This woman not only put the lives of the workers that unload the truck and their families in danger. She risked the health of anyone that came into contact with her or any of the facilities she used. Anywhere she went and not just her but the driver of the truck, he partner and anyone that came into contact with the truck were at risk.

She was fully aware of what the expectations were for her to enter the state and had even booked a flight so it was a deliberate disregard for the people who are doing everything possible to protect the community.

Is the punishment strong, some say yes and some say no, no one is right or wrong but a strong response is warranted with so much to lose. People could have lost family members all because this woman did not want do her part in protecting the weak and infirm in our community.

On the whole most Aussies are content with the punishment, not happy as we would wish this never happened but it is our responsibility to make sure that it does not happen again or become the normal. If this woman has to endure 6 months in prison to make sure people realize we are serious then that's a small price for her to pay considering she risked the lives of others.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Quite the opposite actually, if the 200 odd people that came by plane had all did what she did then instead of the government being able to isolate immediately there would have been 200 people in the general public that could spread the virus anywhere at anytime.

This woman would have used restrooms and other facilities with the potential of spreading the virus into countless communities that have worked very hard to isolate the virus.

Businesses are losing thousands of dollars, workers are staying home losing wages, people have sacrificed a huge amount to keep control of the virus and for her to risk everything that has been done was life threatening to some.

So the government have set up a system that contains people coming into the state and prevents them from contacting the public and spreading the virus.

This woman not only put the lives of the workers that unload the truck and their families in danger. She risked the health of anyone that came into contact with her or any of the facilities she used. Anywhere she went and not just her but the driver of the truck, he partner and anyone that came into contact with the truck were at risk.

She was fully aware of what the expectations were for her to enter the state and had even booked a flight so it was a deliberate disregard for the people who are doing everything possible to protect the community.

Is the punishment strong, some say yes and some say no, no one is right or wrong but a strong response is warranted with so much to lose. People could have lost family members all because this woman did not want do her part in protecting the weak and infirm in our community.

On the whole most Aussies are content with the punishment, not happy as we would wish this never happened but it is our responsibility to make sure that it does not happen again or become the normal. If this woman has to endure 6 months in prison to make sure people realize we are serious then that's a small price for her to pay considering she risked the lives of others.

There is less risk of infecting others if are in contact with less people, so I dont agree with your and your government assertions.

But thanks for the replies, most Aussies agree. I thought so, not that I care what happens in Australia, just found this case to be interesting. Nobody in the UK would ever be imprisoned for breaking any pandemic law, not when those with extreme images of children are given a slap on the wrist.

 

[sweep_shot]

This mentality is why we are failing in Canada. People are crossing border ‘supposedly going to Alaska’ but end up in Banff(which is opposite to Alaska). People who are caught are slapped with ‘$1000’ fine and let go. Do you really think those who break rules and pay $1000 fine would give a crap about quarantine and safety of others?

Jail time is best thing to do, and perhaps criminal record to deter others breaking quarantine rules. Australia is doing right thing with zero tolerance on those who break rules.
Wish Canada was this tough.

Canada did quite well with COVID-19. We have much less cases than UK and USA.

Jail sentence over this is a bit too much.

I support fine. I believe a heavy fine is the way to go. Hurt the pocket.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

Jail sentence is totally ridiculous. Aussie and NZ lock-downs are over the top and totally ridiculous. They start freaking out with 200-300 cases.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Jail sentence is totally ridiculous. Aussie and NZ lock-downs are over the top and totally ridiculous. They start freaking out with 200-300 cases.

NZ has lockdowns but wont sent anyone to jail.

Australia like the UK/USA has become a right wing nation, just look their leaders lowlife scmbags.

 

[Gilly]

NZ has lockdowns but wont sent anyone to jail.

Australia like the UK/USA has become a right wing nation, just look their leaders lowlife scmbags.

I sorry we dont measure up to your standards.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I sorry we dont measure up to your standards.

No need to apologise, I am more than capable of surviving and living a good life. It's the good ol folk who think they live in a free, fair and just society who wil wake up one day and realise they are living in a controlled , police, right wing state. Im like a bird, I have wings to fly to freedom.

 

[Gilly]

No need to apologise, I am more than capable of surviving and living a good life. It's the good ol folk who think they live in a free, fair and just society who wil wake up one day and realise they are living in a controlled , police, right wing state. Im like a bird, I have wings to fly to freedom.

Wow where you live sounds like utopia, what country do you live where you can be like a bird and fly free?.

 

[James]

The mainstream media have done an incredible job in convincing the world that Covid-19 is an apparent Extinction Level Event.

So much so that a traveller overstepping quarantine, someone attending a public gathering with a few too many people present, or even something as simple as a person not wearing a face covering in public are all grounds for immediate social outcasting, widespread cancellation from civilised society, or punishments including fines and imprisonment.

I agree that there should be a set of public health guidelines to contain a hazardous virus which currently does not have a vaccine, but many of the restrictions have become over the top and hysterical — the economic consequences of which are also now starting to be felt, starting with mass job losses — and moreover, these rules should be “policed by consent”; the public should be trusted to educate themselves on the rules and follow them, with state enforcement only coming in the most extreme cases of disorder.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

The mainstream media have done an incredible job in convincing the world that Covid-19 is an apparent Extinction Level Event.

So much so that a traveller overstepping quarantine, someone attending a public gathering with a few too many people present, or even something as simple as a person not wearing a face covering in public are all grounds for immediate social outcasting, widespread cancellation from civilised society, or punishments including fines and imprisonment.

I agree that there should be a set of public health guidelines to contain a hazardous virus which currently does not have a vaccine, but many of the restrictions have become over the top and hysterical — the economic consequences of which are also now starting to be felt, starting with mass job losses — and moreover, these rules should be “policed by consent”; the public should be trusted to educate themselves on the rules and follow them, with state enforcement only coming in the most extreme cases of disorder.

excellent post. spot on!

 

[Major]

Yes rushed and there is a lot of evidence vaccines can cause more harm than good. I would rather just be infected and recover as I have no underlying health issues, I hardly get a cold or cough. Usain Bolt has tested positive but has no symptoms. Only those who may end up in a serious condition should be given the vaccine. As for protecting others, again those at risk should be cautious, as I would.

This pandemic has been overhyped, the % of people dying is very very low.

How can you vaccinate someone with serious condition?

This is not a treatment or cure.

Vaccination makes you immune to a certain disease.
Once someone is in serious condition he cant be vaccinated, he would have to do treatment which is different thing

 

[Sidilicious]

Well I just hope the Australian police would go after Aussie celebrities and dignitaries with the same fervour. We have had the Chief Advisor to the PM who was caught breaking quarantine rules during lockdown in England, and he basically shrugged it off with an apology. He didn't even lose his job let alone get charged with a jailable offence.

When did he make an apology? He informed the press that he drove 50 miles to Bernard castle, to ensure that his eyesight is good enough for a drive to London.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Wow where you live sounds like utopia, what country do you live where you can be like a bird and fly free?.

Not the sharpest, it's a methaphor for being free. Regardless of where you live, you can choose to follow the law or not and some of these laws , I will never follow.

 

[Gilly]

Not the sharpest, it's a methaphor for being free. Regardless of where you live, you can choose to follow the law or not and some of these laws , I will never follow.

Are you the same with religion, do you obey without question or do you have wings to fly free?.