Traffic and Highway Patrol officers have been on key arterial and back roads across regional NSW as part of the COVID lockdown.
You might have noticed police patrols on the main roads into Parkes over the past week.
A total of 1,400 officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command have been on key arterial and back roads across regional NSW, checking vehicles travelling without a reasonable excuse.
Chief Inspector Scott Rayner of the Parkes Police said a lot more police officers would be seen in high visibility uniforms on patrol to ensure COVID compliance. “They will be very strongly enforcing the COVID rules,” he warned.
As many as 166 Police Information Notice (PINs) were handed out in a 24-hour period in regional NSW over the past week as part of Operation Stay-At-Home that started on Saturday at 5pm.
Australian Defence Force troops were also deployed to assist with compliance checks and patrols, while five teams were sent to the Central West on Wednesday to help with the vaccination drive in vulnerable communities.
In addition, penalties have significantly increased and the following fines are in place for Public Health Order breaches:
• $5,000 for breaching self-isolation rules.
• $5,000 for lying on a permit.
• $5,000 for lying to a contact tracer.
• $3,000 for breaching the two-person outdoor exercise/recreation rule.
• $3,000 for breaching rules around entry into regional NSW.
At the time of going to press it was not yet clear whether the lockdown might be extended past Sunday, but in the mean time it is vital to stay at home unless you need to leave for an essential reason. If you must leave home, stay within your local area. For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules