There were 20 infringement notices issued on one night in the Dubbo LGA, prompting frustration and a strong warning from local police to those not complying with the public health order
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The Western Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, said he couldn't understand the motivation for non-compliance.
"Why aren't people heeding the messages that we're all sending, to stay home?" He said. "We really need to look after each other, look after our families. The health professionals have told us COVID is impacting on our children - half our cases are young children. What greater motivation could there possibly be for us?"
The infringements were issued on Saturday night, and include a 24 year-old man who was stopped on Erskine Street for a RBT, and allegedly told police he'd been out drinking with friends and knowingly in breach of the public health order.
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Another car was pulled over on Wheelers Lane, where the driver claimed he was unaware of any stay-at-home orders at all, while his passenger said he was out because he needed a break.
Operation Stay at Home launched midnight on Sunday. It comes as the State Government announced that regional permits will be required for anyone travelling into the regions, with on-the-spot fines of $3000 for breaches.
Those new rules come into effect next weekend, on August 21.
There is concern about the number of caravans currently in Western NSW, with Assistant Commissioner McKechnie warning they, too would be targeted.
"If you are caravanning in this area at the moment...your holiday is over. You either stay put where you are and abide by the lockdown rules, or you go home and abide by the lockdown rules," he said.
"Do not be moving from location to location, if you are we will find you and we will give you that ticket."
The permits are available through Service NSW, and will be supplied digitally.
Valid reasons for a permit to enter regional NSW are:
- If you're an authorised worker
- If you are inspecting real estate (as a home to live in, no investment properties)
- Travelling to your second home, only allowed if it's used for work accommodation or if it requires urgent maintenance and repairs).
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