As one of eight Local Government Areas of concern, Canterbury Bankstown is also now subjected to new targeted restrictions on exercise, construction, masks and shopping until August 28, including:
• Exercise, outdoor recreation and singles bubble visits must be done within 5km of the person’s home;
• Individuals cannot travel more than 5km from home for shopping, unless the goods or services are not readily available in that area;
• The ban on construction to continue; and
• Masks must be worn at all times outside the home regardless of proximity to others and the penalty for not doing so, will be increased from $200 to $500.
Police will also be joined by hundreds of Australian Defence Force personnel to deliver food parcels, conduct welfare door-knocks and go through compliance checks of stay-at-home and self-isolation orders, allowing them to check on more individuals who were subject to orders.
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says the operation will be centred around the welfare of the community as well as ensuring that stay-at-home orders for specific individuals are observed.
Mayor Khal Asfour said he was not totally against the ADF being brought in to assist contact tracers but was against them being used to issue fines.
He said many residents were from communities which had fled countries that were ruled by the military with an iron fist and putting the military on our streets made them wary and scared.
“What they need right now is some hope and love, not more enforcement,” he said.
“Right now the most important thing we can all do is work together and stay safe.”
