The NSW Premier and the NSW Health Minister have outlined orders under the Public Health Act that state a person must not leave their home without a reasonable excuse.

Lake Illawarra Police District Commander, Detective Superintendent Dean Smith said police would be enforcing the new laws, particularly as the school holidays approach.

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"Travelling to a holiday home, a van site or camping is not essential or reasonable in the current environment," Detective Superintendent Smith said.

"I want this to be very clear, people detected travelling without reasonable excuse will be directed to return to their home address and run the risk of being issued with a $1000 infringement notice.

"We are not stopping locals from going to the supermarket and pharmacy, going to and from work if you cannot work from home, going to medical appointments, or leaving for some brief exercise in your own neighbourhood.

"But recreational travel is not a reasonable excuse."

Superintendent Smith said enforcing these measures would be done "to protect our smaller communities too".

"An influx of visitors could put pressure on our health facilities, local businesses and policing resources, whilst potentially transferring the virus from one part of the state to another," he said.

"Our officers will be patrolling roads and conducting high visibility policing operations.

"Along with traffic enforcement, those officers will be targeting unnecessary travel."

The tough police stance comes after Nationals leader John Barilaro's call to stay away from regional areas.

"Now is not the time to travel from metropolitan areas to regional NSW for a holiday, for meetings, or even to relocate yourselves for a longer period - the safest thing you can do right now is stay in your community," Mr Barilaro said.

The laws govern what reasons people can have to be out of their house without attracting new fines of up to $11,000 or six months' jail.

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