Launceston CIB has charged a 29 year-old man from Rocherlea with failing to comply with the direction from the Director of Public Health after he was arrested at Rocherlea last night.

Launceston Detectives intercepted a vehicle in Rocherlea about 8.30pm last night. The 29 year-old male driver was arrested for a number of offences that included breaching a Police Family Violence Order, evading police, refuse breath analysis, driving without a licence, reckless driving, use abusive language to police and resist arrest.

The man was charged with criminal resist of a police officer by claiming he was infected with the Corona Virus. The man will face further charges under the Public Health Act 1997.

The man appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court this morning at 11.30am.

Police would like to remind the public to only be absent from the primary residences with a lawful reason (as outlined by the Director of Public Health) and that incidents where a false claim by a person to be infected with COVID-19 will be taken very seriously.

Under the Emergency Management Act, there is a penalty of up to 100 penalty units ($16,800) or imprisonment not exceeding 3 months for failing to comply with a lawful requirement or direction of an emergency management worker.