EVEN areas with no known COVID-positive cases can expect to see strict enforcement of the statewide lockdown as the NSW Police launch Operation STAY AT HOME from midnight on Monday 16 August. 

Police are already actively monitoring the situation in all western plains towns and PINs (Public Infringement Notices) have recently been issued in Coonamble and Warren. 

On Friday evening 13 August Coonamble Police conducted business inspections and patrols and discovered 7 people breaching the Public Health Order. On Saturday 14 August a further 3 people received infringement notices. 

Police advise that the most recent breaches involved people driving in cars together or walking in the streets together and being out without reasonable excuse. 

An earlier infringement involved a party where more than 15 PINs were issued. 

In Warren, Police have issued 7 infringements for breaches of the Public Health Order. 

So far businesses have been working within the strict rules relating to their operations and police also report a high level of compliance from local communities in wearing masks.

But those not abiding by the rules can expect to see more monitoring and enforcement in coming days.

Across NSW, Operation STAY AT HOME will involve metropolitan and regional police officers as well as officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, Dog and Mounted Unit, and a number of other specialist commands. 

Checking the state's roads will be 1400 officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command using static and mobile COVID-19 compliance operations. 

A further 500 Australian Defence Force troops, in addition to the 300 already deployed, will assist with compliance checks and patrols. 

Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing, Regional NSW Field Operations, said preventing movement to regional areas from Sydney, and between regional areas, would be a key focus of the operation. 

“There will be more roadblocks on main arterial roads and backroads from tomorrow, and these operations will continue to expand throughout this week in order to enforce the permit system announced by the NSW Government this morning,” Deputy Commissioner Willing said. 

“There will be nowhere to hide if you are doing the wrong thing. If you travel anywhere beyond your LGA at the moment, you are putting everyone else in NSW at considerable risk. 

“From the start, this has been about reducing movement across the state and protecting the health and safety of everyone, and this operation significantly strengthens those efforts.” 

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the NSW Government was supporting the Commissioner’s call for assistance in the most practical way. 

“The Commissioner asked for tighter Public Health Orders and the government agreed, the Commissioner asked for higher fines and the Government agreed, and the Commissioner asked for more ADF personnel and we have an additional 500 highly-trained ADF personnel arriving to assist,” Mr Elliott said. 

“We’ve had to tighten the current public health orders because of the minority who exploited them. Enough is enough. If you do it, you will get fined. 

“The only way out of this COVID-19 crisis is if we support each other and support the NSW Police-led compliance operation, Operation STAY AT HOME.” 

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.