Police patrols in the greater Sydney area prepare to step up response to COVID-19 rule breakers as NSW Prime Minister imposes drastic new restrictions to flatten the curve.
Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys has warned that the “pace” of law enforcement response in Sydney will escalate as Greater Sydney faces tough new restrictions.
All construction will be halted at 12:01 p.m. on Monday, July 19, and non-essential retail stores will close at 11:59 a.m. on Saturday, July 17, after the state recorded 111 new cases.
Residents of the Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs are also facing severe new restrictions requiring all workers except front-line workers to remain in their local government area.
Over 160 violations have been released in the past 24 hours by police as they prepare to further escalate law enforcement efforts to take action against those who violate health regulations.
Mr Worboys said it was “always disappointing” to present such high numbers to the Australian public as the majority of people abide by the rules.
“What it means is that the millions of people in this state who are doing absolutely the right thing are being abandoned by a small minority of people who continue to be irresponsible,” he said.
The deputy police commissioner said COVID rule breakers in the community are not only risking their own health and, most importantly, the health of the general public.
As health regulations tighten in response to the escalating outbreak, Mr Worboys said police will also “ramp up” law enforcement efforts in the greater Sydney area.
“The pace of police response will pick up, it has to pick up, not just in southwest Sydney but across the Sydney metropolitan area and into the regions,” he said.
“The Prime Minister has made it very clear that strengthening health regulations will result in people changing their behavior.”
Mr Worboys said a local emergency response was being prepared for Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool and would face tough new lockdown restrictions tonight.
“Public safety is our top priority.”
Welfare and health support services will be provided for the vulnerable and those in need in New South Wales over the next two weeks.
New restrictions from 11:59 p.m. Saturday July 17th
- Non-essential retail stores will have to close, with the exception of takeaway and home delivery
- This does not apply to: supermarkets and grocery stores (including butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores and fishmongers); Pharmacies, gas stations, car rentals, banks, hardware supplies, pet supplies, post and magazine stores, office supplies
- inhabitant of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs are not allowed to leave these areas, except for emergency services and health care workers. If these workers have to leave their LGA for work, they must be tested every three days, even if they have no symptoms;
- Anyone who leaves the house must always have a mask with them. They must be worn when working outdoors, in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping streets, and in outdoor queues for products such as coffee and food
- Carpooling is prohibited
Restrictions from Monday, July 19, 12:01 p.m .:
- All construction in the greater Sydney area will be suspended until at least July 30th
- Non-urgent maintenance, including cleaning services, and repairs to residential buildings, will be paused.
Restrictions as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday July 21st
- employer Got to Allowing employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so could result in a fine of up to $ 10,000
Restrictions in regional NSW remain unchanged.
The 111 new cases reported on Saturday bring the state’s total to 1,137.
The current outbreak first occurred on June 16 after a Bondi limousine driver contracted the virus while transporting international flight crew to and from the airport.