Police and businesses are urging people continue obeying the COVID rules in the Illawarra as the latest outbreak continues to grip the Greater Sydney area.
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During patrols on Sunday, officers with the Wollongong police district observed multiple gatherings at beaches between Stanwell Park and Wollongong.
They moved on large numbers of people and issued seven fines for COVID-related infringements.
Among them was a 50-year-old woman who copped a $1000 fine when it was discovered she had travelled south from her home in Padstow.
Police on patrol in the CBD also issued a $200 fine to an employee of a Crown Street grocery store for not wearing a face mask.
Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing urged people to "stay the course" and abide by the restrictions, especially given new cases were cropping up outside metropolitan Sydney.
Two new cases were confirmed in Wollongong on Monday - the first since July 2.
"We're fighting really hard to ensure... this variant doesn't seed itself outside of Greater Sydney," Deputy Commissioner Willing said.
He said he understood that the lockdown restrictions imposed on Wollongong and Shellharbour were frustrating for residents and business owners, but "we need to stay ahead of the curve as best we can".
While the vast majority of people were doing the right thing, Deputy Commissioner Willing said some were deliberately flouting the health order.
Of most concern, he said, were those travelling where they were not allowed and putting others at risk.
In total, police issued 14 fines in the Wollongong police district and another 13 in the Lake Illawarra police district over the weekend.
The owner of Gerringong Bakery has voiced his frustration with the number of people who fail to sign in or wear a mask when visiting his shop.
"It's sometimes 40 to 50 per cent of people who approach the shop either pretend to check in, or don't scan in," Grant Jamieson said.
He has also given out dozens of masks in the last few days to customers who have shown up without their own.
The reactions were mixed when staff tried to enforce the rules, Mr Jamieson said: some people were apologetic, while others became "quite unpleasant".
He said it was very uncomfortable and stressful for staff to have to ask customers to sign in or wear a mask.
Gerringong is outside the lockdown area but the loss of traffic from visitors travelling from the north for a weekend has been significant for businesses.
Mr Jamieson said trade was down by 50 to 60 per cent of what it should be.
"Our financial viability is eroding away, day by day, week by week," he said.
Mr Jamieson pleaded with the community and anyone visiting to think of the small businesses and abide by the restrictions and recommendations.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
