COVID-infected removalists who stopped in Jindera and Albury did nothing illegal on their visit to the area, police have determined.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They arrived in the area on July 10 while on a return journey from Melbourne and South Australia, stopping in the region first at Hay, then Jindera and Gundagai on their way back to Sydney.
It was later revealed they also stopped at a truck wreckers in North Albury not long after leaving the Jindera Shell service station.
Detective Chief Inspector Mick Stoltenberg, of Albury police, said on Thursday that they had concluded their investigation at a local level.
"The pleasing thing for us is that from the inquiries we've made we've found that these gentlemen were in the area for a legitimate work purpose and they complied with the public health order," he said.
"Because they were wearing masks they had not committed any offence."
The removalists, who had two trucks, stopped at the Jindera Shell service station on the morning of Saturday July 10 before stopping at a truck wreckers business in Fallon Street, North Albury, shortly afterwards.
There had been wide speculation there was an illegal reason for their trip with suggestions of drug ties, but Detective Chief Inspector Stoltenberg said that was wrong.
In other news
"It was a legitimate work purpose, they were here to collect some equipment for their employer on their way back to Sydney," he said.
The senior policeman said the removalists' health order compliance and lawful excuse for visiting Albury should be a "pleasing thing for the area" given the nervousness generated by their visit.
Detective Chief Inspector Stoltenberg said the removalists' case overall in relation to their other travels and behaviour was in the hands of Sydney police.
The travellers are also under investigation in Victoria after having travelled to Melbourne and spread COVID through the capital resulting in a statewide lockdown.
On Wednesday night, Channel Seven television news showed footage of the removalists and their trucks at the Melbourne unit block where they spent time working without wearing masks.
They subsequently travelled on to Adelaide before returning to NSW and stopping in Hay and Gundagai as well as Albury and Jindera on their return to Sydney.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters