Specialist police officers from Wollongong have been tasked with patrolling licenced venues, restaurants and public areas this weekend to ensure people are following the relaxed COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing regulations.
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Wollongong Police District commander, Superintendent Evan Quarmby, said the lifting of some restrictions on Friday would come as welcomed news to many people in the community, who for the most part had abided by rules in an effort to get through the health crisis.
"I understand people have been cooped up inside for many weeks but the relaxing of restrictions is not an invitation for people to go crazy," he said. "We all have to be smart and most importantly, responsible."
According to the state government's latest public health advice, there are eight changes to the Public Health Order coming into effect from Friday.
These allow for outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people; cafes and restaurants can seat 10 patrons; up to 5 visitors to a household at any one time; weddings up to 10 guests; indoor funerals up to 20 mourners, outdoor funerals up to 30; religious gatherings/places of worship up to 10 worshippers; use of outdoor equipment with caution and outdoor pools open with restrictions.
Superintendent Quarmby said police would be taking a measured approach to enforcing restrictions.
"Wollongong police will always bring a measured response," he said.
"We will talk to people who may be breaching the rules and will understand what they are doing. Then we have options such as fines we can choose to take.
"We don't want to be going out and enforcing the rules. We want people to self-enforce and do the right thing.
"I urge people to be mindful that we are not at the end of this pandemic.
"We need to continue to observe a social distance of at least 1.5 metres and exercise impeccably good hand hygiene. People need to make sure they obey the relaxed restrictions in their homes and public places."
Supt Quarmby said if anyone was unsure of the rules, then the NSW Health website provided the current information on what is and is not allowed.
"Most questions people will have are set out in the frequently asked questions section," he said.
"These include whether the five visitor rule includes children or when 10 people can get together outdoors.
"I understand people may feel confused, but the rules are clear and people must obey them."
Supt Quarmby said he had been impressed with number of residents doing the right thing as only a small number of people in the district had chosen to flaunt the rules.
"We are all in this together," he said. "We want people to enjoy the relaxed restrictions but they have a great responsibility to make sure they comply with them for their own safety and for the benefit for the community.
"The more we comply with the rules, the quicker we can get to the other side of this pandemic."
