More than 1,400 Highway Patrol police will be dedicated to static and mobile Covid-19 compliance operations, while a further 500 Australian Defence Force troops, in addition to the 300 already deployed, will assist with compliance checks and patrols.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said the NSW Government was supporting the Commissioner’s call for assistance in the most practical way.
“We’ve had to tighten the current public health orders because of the minority who exploited them. Enough is enough. If you do it, you will get fined,” he said.
“The only way out of this Covid-19 crisis is if we support each other and support the NSW Police-led compliance operation, Operation Stay at home.”
Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the level of non-compliance by some members of the community is unacceptable and they will be “doubling down with compliance and enforcement to make sure we get ahead of the Delta strain”.
“It only takes one person to do the wrong thing to facilitate considerable spread of the virus,” he said.
“We will be issuing $5,000 fines to people and closing any businesses which continue to breach the health orders, and will not apologise for these increased enforcement efforts going forward.”
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a Covid-19-related ministerial direction, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers, with all reports treated in strict confidence.
