MidCoast Council has ramped up its message pleading with holidaymakers to stay away from the Great Lakes this Easter school holidays.
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The NSW Government's Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 directs that a person must not leave their home without a reasonable excuse.
These excuses include going to work or for education, household shopping, medical needs or the care of others, exercise, or other listed exemptions.
The order also limits gatherings to two people in a public place, however some exemptions apply including for members of the same household or where gathering is essential for work or education.
MidCoast Council mayor, David West said going away for the Easter holidays was not a reasonable excuse under these new rules and NSW Police, along with council rangers would be out enforcing various aspects of the order.
"This is a time for commonsense, it is not a time to take a break in our region or anywhere else," Cr West said.
It's absolutely vital that everyone follows these new laws and stays at home - and that means staying in the home where you usually live, not gathering, not camping and not relocating to a holiday home.
- David West
While NSW Police has 70,000 officers out and about across the State to ensure everyone is complying with the order, MidCoast Council rangers will also be cracking down on illegal camping over the Easter long weekend and the following school holidays.
"It's absolutely vital that everyone follows these new laws and stays at home - and that means staying in the home where you usually live, not gathering, not camping and not relocating to a holiday home," he said.
"All of our council owned camping grounds are closed and anyone found on these sites will be fined and the police informed."
Heavy penalties apply through the Public Health Act 2010, which allows for a maximum penalty for an individual of imprisonment for six months or a fine of up to $11,000 (or both) plus a further $5500 fine each day the offence continues.
"We all need to follow these rules to save the lives of the people we love.
"Everyone knows someone whose health is compromised but healthy younger people can get very ill too.
"We must be even more vigilant in our region because we have one of the highest percentages of seniors across our population.
"Don't take a holiday on the Mid Coast over Easter, or in the months following, until this has all eased and if you know someone who's planning a trip tell them to think again.
"Come back and visit our beautiful region when the government has declared you can.
"For now, you must stay away."
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