Today, six police officers arrived at Lismore's Ghetto Babe Street Eats to arrest business owner Busara O’Reilly for not wearing a mask.

After a discussing why she wasn’t wearing a mask, as required under NSW Covid restrictions, the police handed Busara a court summons for non-Covid compliance.  

Busara says she can’t wear a mask while operating her Star Court Arcade restaurant business due to an anxiety and panic disorder from a lifetime of abuse.

“I qualify for an exemption under NSW Government law,” Busara said. 

“Under the NSW Health Order, you are not required to wear a mask if you have a physical or mental health condition or illness, or disability, that makes mask wearing unsuitable.”

Busara has multiple visible framed notices on display at her business, explaining what the NSW Government exemptions are.

“I’ve done everything the government say I should, but the police keep coming back and threatening me and my staff,” Busara said.

Read more about Busara: SUNDAY PROFILE: Ghetto Babe's Busara O'Reilly

Complaint

Busara said she opened her business on Tuesday and that a member of the public had made a complaint about her not wearing a mask and endangering the public. 

This prompted three visits from police on Wednesday, who handed her a $200 fine for not wearing a mask.

“They also threatened my staff member who has a disability and was working here with his carer,” Busara said. 

“He can’t read or write and is also exempt from wearing a mask. He was frightened and he went home and now he doesn’t want to come in again.

“I have trauma and I simply cannot wear one. I shut the business for four days in the last lock down and took a pay cut.

“This business is my livelihood. I’m a single mother of four and I work to feed my family.

“While I am here. I am inside my section, not out with the public – and my other staff members are wearing masks and choose to be here with me."

Exemption rules

Under NSW Government Covid restrictions rules, if you claim exemption from wearing a mask, you may choose to get documentation from your doctor or disability care provider confirming this.

The law states also states: “However, this is not a requirement under the public health order.”

The rules also state that a regulatory officer will ask you to confirm the lawful reason you are not wearing a face mask.

The rules state:

“Officers will only issue penalty notices if you clearly refuse to wear a mask without a lawful reason. If you have a condition that prevents you from wearing a mask, you may wish to ask your registered health practitioner or disability care provider to issue a letter confirming this. 

“However, this is not a requirement under the public health order. In other circumstances, if you are eating or drinking, or there is an emergency, you will not be expected to continue wearing a mask.”

Court summons

Busara said that now she has been issued with a court summons, she will need to provide her doctor’s letter on her court date.

“The rules say I don’t need to have it right now, but the documentation will be given to them,” she said.

“I'm standing up for my right to not wear a mask because I cannot do it. I’m looking after my own mental health.

“I’m not anti mask or anti vax, I just want to cook for people.

“If the law and the community think I am a risk to the community then I am willing to close my business. But I don’t want to close, it is my livelihood."