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NO MORE CAUTIONS: NSW Police vow to crack down on Covid rule breakers

NSW Police have vowed to crack down on those who are not following the new Covid restrictions as the Sydney cluster grows by 11 new cases.

During a media conference on Thursday, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys announced there will be increased police patrols in the coming week.

He said police have already issued around 150 cautions to people not wearing masks on public transport or other required locations, which includes all indoor settings.

“We are moving much further into a compliance and enforcement regime around the order rather than a simple education response to people,” the deputy commissioner said.

Commuters hop of a tram wearing face masks in Sydney. Source: AAP
NSW Police have vowed to crack down on those who are not following the new Covid restrictions as the Sydney cluster grows by 11 new cases. Source: AAP

“There are clearly people now who want to be mischievous or simply want to go beyond the order.

“Those people will be spoken to by police and will be issued with a penalty notice rather than given the option of a caution.”

Deputy Commissioner Worboys said officers will be present on the public transport system, and in and around cafés, pubs, and clubs making sure patrons are wearing masks inside and are social distancing.

They will also be on alert for anyone who violates the travel restrictions during the school holidays, which begins on Friday, he warned.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney. Source: AAP
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys announced there will be increased police patrols in the coming week. Source: AAP

People living or working in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra, cannot move outside the Sydney metropolitan area unless it's essential.

"If people choose to go outside the order and drive to a location, whether that is down the snow or up the coast, down the south coast, out west, traffic and highway patrol are well aware of the order and what it says to people and what it commands them to do, and police will be out there enforcing that part of the activity," the deputy commissioner said.

The new restrictions introduced at 4pm on Wednesday will be in place for a week.

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