MidCoast Council mayor, David West has sent a clear message to holidaymakers planning to travel to the region for the coming Easter and term one school holidays.
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Now is not the time to travel from metropolitan areas to regional NSW for a holiday, Cr West says.
Federal and State governments have made it clear that everyone should continue to stay at home unless they are shopping for essentials, are receiving medical care, are undertaking daily exercise or are attending work or school with the Public Health COVID-19 Restrictions of Gathering and Movement Order 2020 coming into effect this week, he said.
"Holidays and travel are simply not essential and I'd like to reiterate the government's clear message that now is not the time to travel from metropolitan areas to regional NSW for a holiday," he said.
"The safest thing you can do right now is stay at home, in your community, and you can expect the police to caution and fine those not adhering to these rules.
"I'm saying this to our community members too.
"This virus is everywhere.
It's not the time to travel between towns, there should be none of that..
- David West
"It's not the time to travel between towns, there should be none of that.
"To help slow the spread we need to keep following the self-isolation advice, do the right thing by our families, friends and neighbours, which means staying 1.5 metres away from others, avoiding social gatherings, washing hands and ensuring that if you are sick, you are self-isolating."
Cr West has been particularly concerned about the upcoming Easter break, with fears that people from the city may try to relocate themselves to regional NSW in an attempt to escape quarantine, which could potentially see a spike in local cases and be dangerous to the community.
"More than anything the health and safety of our community is paramount and we're all in this together, we all need to do our bit to help stop the spread.
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"I want to assure everyone, the Mid Coast will still be here when this is all over and we will be ready to welcome all holidaymakers and tourists, but not now, our region's borders are unofficially closed until this pandemic is finished."
NSW Police Minister, Mick Fuller announced this week that the Restrictions on Gathering and Movement Order would remain in place for 90 days.
For more information on MidCoast Council's ongoing response to COVID-19, visit the website HERE or visit the Health NSW website.
