Newcastle: Police urge compliance in Covid-19 lockdown, as some ignore stay-at-home orders

It was just day one of the Hunter snap lockdown, but some are still not getting the message to stay home unless absolutely necessary.

It was day one of lockdown across the Hunter, but if you visited beaches across Newcastle on Friday, you may not have known it.

While Merewether and Bar beachers were quieter than usual, a number of people were still out and about enjoying the sunny weather.

Some were complying with orders and clearly exercising, a ‘reasonable’ excuse to be out of the house, while others milled about, ignoring stay-at-home orders.

People at Bar Beach on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

The NSW Government lockdown restrictions mean people can go outside of their homes to exercise but it must be within their local government area or up to 10km from their home.

People can exercise with one person that they do not live with, or a nominated visitor, or exercise with people in their household.

Loitering or gathering in numbers is not permitted.

Some local surfers could be seen gathering in groups, while some were sitting on the grass, as they made the most of their day, chatting away.

Surfers gather at Merewether Beach on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

Northern Region Commander and Region Emergency Operations Controller, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna APM, has issued a stark reminder to residents to comply with current restrictions.

“This weekend is the Hunter’s opportunity to demonstrate our determination to stop this current outbreak,” he said.

“Gathering in groups of more than two is a breach of the Public Health Order, you cannot take a seat and drink your coffee or sit and have a chat with a friend at this time.

“I know this is frustrating, but we all have to follow the current restrictions so we can ensure this Delta strain does not spread further.”

Police across the Hunter are continuing high-visibility operations over the next week, focusing on compliance with ‘stay at home’ orders.

Officers are proactively patrolling, doing compliance checks on businesses and individuals, as well as responding to all Crime Stoppers reports for alleged breaches of the Public Health Order.

Surf’s up in Newcastle. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

Mr McKenna said there is no excuse not to be aware of what the restrictions are.

“I would encourage all Hunter residents to read the do’s and don’ts of this Public Health Order and police will continue to enforce the rules and issue penalty infringement notices (PINs) for those who breach them,” he added.

Information on the current Public Health Order is available here – https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/affected-regions