The message is clear to potential visitors - stay away from the Mid Coast this Easter school holidays and for the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, unless you work here or meet specific exemption criteria.
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The NSW Government's Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 directs that a person must not leave their home without a 'reasonable excuse'. These 'excuses' include going to work or education (if they can't work remotely), household shopping, medical needs or the care of others, exercise, or other listed exemptions.
The order also limits gatherings to two people in a public place, however some exemptions apply including for members of the same household or where gathering is essential for work or education.
We all need to follow these rules to save the lives of the people we love.
- MidCoast Mayor David West
MidCoast Council Mayor, David West said going away for the Easter holidays is not a 'reasonable excuse' under these new rules and NSW Police, along with council rangers, will be out enforcing various aspects of the order.
"This is a time for common sense, it is not a time to take a break in our region or anywhere else," Mayor West said.
While NSW Police has 70,000 officers out and about across the State to ensure everyone is complying with the order, MidCoast Council's rangers will also be cracking down on illegal camping over the Easter long weekend and the following school holidays.
"It's absolutely vital that everyone follows these new laws and stays at home - and that means staying in the home where you usually live, not gathering, not camping and not relocating to a holiday home," Mayor West said.
"All of our council owned camping grounds are closed and anyone found on these sites will be fined and the police informed."
Heavy penalties apply through the Public Health Act 2010, which allows for a maximum penalty for an individual of imprisonment for six months or a fine of up to $11,000 (or both) plus a further $5500 fine each day the offence continues.
"We all need to follow these rules to save the lives of the people we love. Everyone knows someone whose health is compromised but healthy younger people can get very ill too," he said.
"We must be even more vigilant in our region because we have one of the highest percentages of seniors across our population.
"Don't take a holiday on the MidCoast over Easter, or in the months following, until this has all eased and if you know someone who's planning a trip tell them to think again. Come back and visit our beautiful region when the government has declared you can. For now, you must stay away."
For more information on Council's response to COVID-19, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/covid19
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