Tourists were still seen in parts of the South Coast over the Easter long weekend in breach of social distancing measures, police in the area say.
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Despite multiple and repeated health warnings from officials and the government, authorities said there were still a number of visitors to the holiday hot spot.
Police had to break up several large gatherings of people on South Coast beaches with multiple warning notices for breaching coronavirus restrictions handed out.
However, tourist numbers in the area were well down on normal levels.
Officer in charge of Nowra police station, Inspector Ray Steynes, said a large number of infringement notices were handed out over the Easter period, which come with $1000 fines.
"The government told people to stay away and a number of people still came down to the coast, which is disappointing," Inspector Steynes said.
"Multiple people were warned and it was a combination of locals and tourists."
Inspector Steynes said an exact number of offences recorded and fines issued was not known.
It's not known how many of the fines were issued to ACT residents.
South Coast police said they would be targeting drivers with ACT and other interstate licence plates in the area over the holiday period.
While police on the South Coast said there were a small number of tourists in the area, Batemans Bay business and tourism chamber president Alison Miers said the town was quiet over Easter.
"The messaging came from Canberra and from down here as well and it was clear that people should stay home," she said.
"I didn't notice any extra people. Everyone has heeded the warnings and that stands us in a good stead."
Health authorities along with state, territory and federal governments all urged people to stay at home during Easter to help combat the spread of coronavirus in the community.
In the ACT, police say no fines and offences were issued over the Easter period, as of Monday morning.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said police were out patrolling major roads in the area and spoke with multiple drivers.
However, one person had to be forced to turn around, after trying to tow a caravan into NSW.
"I'm advised nearly everyone was compliant, but ACT police did have to turn a few cars around," Mr Barr said.
"Even though it was disappointing a small number of people did not heed warnings, I want to say thank you to the Canberrans who have done the right thing and stayed at home."
Police were also called to several parks where people were congregating together and asked them to leave.
"ACT Policing's strategy for enforcing COVID-19 directions is focused on education before warning and fines," a police spokesman said.
Fines of up to $8000 can apply in the ACT for breaches of social distancing restrictions.
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ACT police have previously said fines would be issued for "flagrant" breaches of rules.
NSW police said since 4pm on Friday, more than 160 infringement notices had been issued across the state, including several on the South Coast.
Among them was a group of five people in their 20s who were each fined $1000 for drinking together near a Nowra hotel.
In another incident in the Kosciuszko National park, a man in his 30s was fined on Friday after he failed to follow police directions to return to Melbourne.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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