A Wollongong couple who left their LGA in search of food are among those fined by police during a compliance crackdown on South Coast roads on Monday.
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A total of 860 motorists across the region were stopped and breath-tested as part of Operation Stay Home.
Of note, a 75-year-old man and 70-year-old woman were issued with infringements for failing to comply with a noticed direction, after leaving Wollongong to get takeaway in Kiama.
Two motorists were fined for driving unregistered vehicles, one driver for having an unsecured load, while four motorists failed to display P-plates.
NSW Police are focussing on preventing movement to regional areas from Sydney, and between regional areas, South Coast Police District Commander Superintendent Greg Moore said.
"You will see more of our cars and officers out on the major roads but it won't just be the highways, it will be the major arterial roads and the backroads," he said.
"We will also be conducting frequent patrols of traveller rest spots and transport hubs."
One of those operations was clearly visible along the Princes Highway in Bombo on Friday, with police looking out for travellers from Greater Sydney heading south into regional NSW, in breach of the Public Health Order.
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the message was simple - stay home.
"Unfortunately, too many people are not listening, which is why we remain in lockdown," he said.
"We need a circuit breaker from a law enforcement perspective. We need to protect regional NSW; we need to protect our communities from the spread of the Delta variant."
Additional COVID compliance traffic operations will continue across Southern Region.
There are increased fines for Public Health Order breaches:
- $5000 for breaching self-isolation rules.
- $5000 for lying on a permit.
- $5000 for lying to a contact tracer.
- $3000 for breaching the two-person outdoor exercise/recreation rule.
- $3000 for breaching rules around entry into regional NSW.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 www.nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information is treated in strict confidence.