Police will be patrolling camping and tourist hot spots over the Easter break

Police will be monitoring the roads from multiple angles this long weekend to catch Tasmanians flouting coronavirus travel restrictions.

AUTHORITIES say small Tasmanian communities are self-policing and ready to inform on outsiders entering their areas over the Easter break.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is also being deployed to camping hot spots and shack communities to direct police to vehicles suspected of being out of their home area and officers say they will be ready to act.

“The helicopter will be tasked to hot spots and we will act on the intelligence gathered,” Acting Western District Commander Stuart Wilkinson said.

“Police units on the ground will be in contact with the chopper.

“Small communities are also policing themselves. They don’t want people from outside coming in at this time.”

Acting Western District Commander Stuart Wilkinson.

Police will focus on shack areas on the East Coast, Bridport, Tasman Peninsula, the Central Highlands, West Coast and Bruny Island.

In the North-West, which is Tasmania’s coronavirus epicentre, police will be checking campgrounds at Port Sorell, Sisters Beach, Boat Harbour, the Pieman River, Stanley and Strahan.

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Premier Peter Gutwein on Thursday said the North-West was “effectively in lockdown” and Acting Commander Wilkinson said marked and unmarked cars were intercepting motorists – with a particular focus on those with caravans and boats.

“We have already checked 200 vehicles and knocked on the door of 125 shacks. In just two of those cases we are considering taking further action,” he said.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Jo Stolp issued a warning to those considering flouting the emergency rules.

“This Easter, if you are away from your primary residence and try to catch the Bruny

Island ferry or go to your shack and you don’t have a valid excuse, you will not only be

turned around, but you could be charged and face a substantial fine,” she said.

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Mr Gutwein said despite his repeated warnings authorities were receiving anecdotal reports of people travelling to their shacks for Easter.

“This is simply not on. It is putting everyone at risk,” Mr Gutwein said.

“That’s why I am asking anyone who has seen shack-goers turning up in the last few days, or over the coming days, to report this activity to the police on 131 444.

“And that’s why, over coming days, police will be undertaking a stay-at-home compliance blitz, right around the state.”

Acting Assistant Commissioner Stolp said those worried about security of their shack properties could be reassured police will be undertaking additional patrols.