Local police say residents and business owners are so far following the government's new directives, with no Gunnedah residents issued with fines yet.
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Sergeant Troy Woods told the Namoi Valley Independent that police had found that locals had been complying with the new rules well.
"Everyone's been quite good in relation to it actually, people seem to be complying with everything. They understand what their requirements are and are assisting how they can," Sgt Woods said.
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Sgt Woods said police would be conducting regular patrols of places that had been affected by recent closures, including licensed premises and playgrounds, and would also be patrolling grocery stores, too.
He said that if people were found to be doing the wrong thing, "police will be stopping and speaking to them".
People not following social distancing or self-isolation rules can now face fines of $1000 for individuals, and $5000 for businesses.
"If people aren't abiding by the directives, police may have no other choice but to enforce those on-the-spot fines," Sgt Woods told the NVI.
"You need to leave home with a reasonable excuse because police will be checking."
Police fined a Tamworth man and a Boggabri woman after they failed to self-isolate after returning from an overseas holiday to Thailand.
Cases brought before the court could face fines of $11,000, Sgt Woods said.
The government's list of reasonable excuses include:
- Obtaining food or other goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes (including for pets) and for vulnerable people
- Travelling for work, if you can't work from home
- Travelling for childcare (including picking up or dropping another person at childcare)
- Travelling to attend school or other educational institutions, if the person attending cannot learn from home
- Exercising
- Obtaining medical care or supplies or health supplies or fulfilling carer's responsibilities
- Attending a wedding, but no more than five people are allowed (including the person conducting the service)
- Attending a funeral, but no more than 10 people are allowed (including the person conducting the service)
- Moving to a new place of residence (including a business moving to new premises) or between different places of residence of the person or inspecting a potential new place of residence
- Providing care or assistance (including personal care) to a vulnerable person or providing emergency assistance
- Donating blood
- Undertaking any legal obligations
- Accessing public services (these can be to government, private or non-government organisations). These can include: social, employment, domestic violence and mental health services; as well as services provided to victims (including as victims of crime)
- For children who do not live in the same household as their parents or siblings or one of their parents or siblings-continuing existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children or siblings
- A priest, minister of religion or member of a religious order may go to their place of worship or provide pastoral care to another person
- If you need to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm
- For emergencies or compassionate reasons
Social gatherings are also limited to a maximum of two people both indoors and outdoors.
If anyone has information about potential breaches to the laws, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.