OFFICERS from the Mid North Coast Police District will shift their focus to the upcoming school holidays as the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted, but say public health and safety is their top priority.
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Over 300 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) have been issued across the Mid North Coast Police District since Operation Stay at Home began on August 14.
The majority of these infringement notices were for disobeying the stay at home orders and for refusing to wear appropriate face coverings when out in public.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Jameson said police will now shift their focus as businesses reopen.
"Officers will still be out ensuring that locals and visitors follow the Public Health Order, especially as businesses open up again and more people are out in public," he said.
The lockdown was lifted for a large portion of NSW from 12.01am on Saturday, September 11, however some restrictions remain in place.
"Vast amounts of the regions will open - Mid North Coast, to the North Coast, to the North West, Albury, to the Riverina and Murrumbidgee areas," said Deputy Premier John Barilaro on Thursday, September 9.
"For those areas coming out of lockdown, you are not coming into a pre-lockdown environment.
"There will be capacity limits for our hotels, cafes and restaurants - including the four-square-metre rule - mask wearing, social distancing."
These restrictions, Insp Jameson said, will be monitored by Mid North Coast police to help keep the community safe.
"Compliance is our main focus. Looking at numbers of people in venues, making sure people are checking in and mask wearing in public will all be monitored by police," he said.
"As we move into school holidays and it gets busier, police will be out making sure the community is following the restrictions that remain in place.
"We're confident that the community will do the right thing and will comply. I'm sure they don't want the virus to spread to our area.
"Anyone who doesn't comply with the restrictions will be dealt with by the police."
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