People heading from the nation's capital to holiday on the South Coast could find their getaway ends up with an arrest.
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Under new laws passed this week, people outside their home without a reasonable excuse face a maximum $11,000 fine and/or six months in jail.
The NSW legislation explicitly states that going to regional NSW for a holiday is not a reasonable excuse.
There is the belief held by some that Canberra residents are exempt from these new laws because they are not NSW residents.
NSW Police have confirmed that is not the case, stating they will enforce these new laws in the same way as speeding or any other offences - meaning that residents from other states and territories can still be fined.
There have been reports of increasing numbers of cars with ACT licence plates being spotted on the South Coast.
"At Bawley Point over the weekend, the car park was full of Canberra number plates," said Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley earlier this week.
"The mere fact that they are here, and people can tell that they are here, is upsetting people."
South Coast residents are concerned that an outbreak in the area would put their already stretched resources under greater stress.
"We have limited resources and many of our communities were severely impacted by the January bushfires," Cr Findley said.
"Our grocery stores are already struggling to meet demand and most attractions are closed and events postponed."
There is also the simple truth that the health care system on the South Coast is not designed to cope with a sudden influx of people suffering from coronavirus.
Police in the ACT are now cracking down as well, telling people to stay at home rather than head out on holidays.
"Our message is clear - if you have no reason to go out, don't go out," said ACT Chief Police Officer Ray Johnson.
"If you're asking the question 'is what I'm doing compliant?', then you're asking the wrong question. You should be asking 'is what I'm doing safe for the people I love?'.
"We should all be doing the right thing by each other and staying home where possible."
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Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
