Police target metropolitan travellers visiting regional NSW in breach of Public Health Orders

Police across the state are continuing to conduct compliance operations targeting metropolitan residents travelling to regional NSW in contravention of Public Health Orders.

State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, said now is not the time to move out of Greater Sydney.

"We want to make it clear that police in Greater Sydney and our regional locations are sharing information and will continue to patrol transport hubs to check that people are complying with the stay-at-home direction," Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

Of note, about 10pm yesterday (Wednesday 7 July 2021), officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District spoke to a 38-year-old man on Denison Street, Mudgee, following reports from a member of the public he was acting suspiciously.

Inquiries revealed the man, from Kingswood, had travelled from Penrith Railway Station to Lithgow Railway Station, before boarding a bus to Mudgee earlier the same day to meet a person he had met on social media.

He was subsequently issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for travel from Metropolitan Sydney area to NSW outside area.

In a separate incident, police are appealing for information after reports a 51-year-old man was spat on by an unknown man at a hardware store on the corner of Pennant Hills Road and Phyllis Avenue, Thornleigh, just before 7am yesterday.

Officers from Kuring-Gai Police Area Command have been told the man was waiting to be served when he spoke to another man, who was not wearing a mask.

Staff intervened and as the man was leaving the store, he spat on the other man.

Investigations are continuing.

In total, 56 PINs were issued yesterday and of those 26 were $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.

Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

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