Central Coast residents are being encouraged to report any holidaymakers and travellers coming into the Coast following the NSW Government’s crackdown on non-essential travel within the state.
On March 31, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro, said the State Government was calling for all residents to cancel any upcoming travel to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and cautioned anyone planning an Easter getaway, that there could be serious consequences for ignoring the latest directive from the National Cabinet to stay home unless travelling for essential reasons.
“My message is simple, now is not the time to travel from metropolitan areas to regional NSW for a holiday, for meetings, or even to relocate yourselves for a longer period.
“The safest thing you can do right now is stay in your community,” Barilaro said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, echoed the sentiment and said only permanent residents of the LGA should be on the Coast.
“The Central Coast LGA currently has the fourth highest count of COVID-19 cases in NSW (as of April 1).
“The way to stop this increasing is for everyone to follow the restrictions and social distancing rules.
“If your residential address is not a Central Coast suburb, it’s important that you go home.
“The way to combat COVID-19 is to keep everyone at home,” Crouch said.
Given the LGA’s status as a popular holiday destination and its abundance of holiday homes, Crouch advised permanent residents that they should feel free to report any holidaymakers flouting the travel directive to Crime Stoppers.
“The Federal and State Governments have made it crystal clear that no one should be travelling right now.
“Any non permanent residents who travel to the Coast risk placing undue pressure on our Local Health District if they get sick.
“The Central Coast Local Health District is doing an amazing job in dealing with this pandemic, but they are only equipped to deal with permanent residents as are all other Local Health Districts in the State.
“Central Coast residents have been stringent with their social distancing and the latest data indicates that our LGA has gotten ahead of the curve, but we cannot take that for granted, and I encourage any residents to report breaches of current restrictions,” Crouch said.
To those willing to flout the rules who get caught, Crouch said hefty penalties would apply.
“If you travel to the Central Coast and the police come to your door, you can receive an on the spot fine of $1,000 and you will be told to go home.
“If your permanent address is not within the LGA, then don’t come to the Coast.
“It’s that simple,” Crouch said.
He added that rental companies, real estates and private landlords that continued to market holiday rentals were also at risk of penalties if they don’t cease and desist.
Crouch said Central Coast residents should continue to seek advice from trusted sources as the COVID-19 situation unfolds.
“There is an abundance of misinformation on social media right now.
“I urge everyone in our community to stay up to date by calling the 24/7 NSW Government COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88 or by visiting trusted websites such as the NSW Government’s or NSW Health’s for the latest information,” Crouch said.
Source:
Media statement, Mar 31
John Barilaro, NSW Government
Interview, Apr 1
Adam Crouch MP
Reporter: Dilon Luke