Joint media release

Easter 2020 is one year tourists, friends and family from out of town should not be travelling to visit the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.

Today local Members of Parliament and police are reminding people to observe health directives and stay at home this Easter in order to protect seniors and vulnerable residents in our community.

“We love our tourists but this year we are telling them to stay away for the protection of all of our residents,” Mr Conaghan said.

“The simple fact is family, friends and tourists should not be travelling here for a holiday as it contravenes the NSW Government’s Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2000 and by doing so people risk six months’ gaol time or a fine of up to $11,000.

“The Order directs that a person must not, without reasonable excuse, leave the person’s place of residence. Taking a holiday in a regional area is not a reasonable excuse, so discourage anyone from doing it.”

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said people need to abide by the rules as that are designed to keep the whole community safe.

“People need to stay at home and restrict their essential movements to the local community,” she said.

“COVID-19 does not discriminate and does not care about borders, so now is not the time to travel between towns or to relocate.

“The safest thing you can do right now is stay home. I know this is a hard message given we have a large tourism sector here, but safety is paramount and lives depend on every single one of us doing our part by staying at home this long weekend and beyond.”

Mid North Coast Police District Commander Superintendent Paul Fehon said police will be carrying out patrols this weekend to ensure social distancing is maintained.

“The vast majority of people understand the risk of this virus to our communities, although there has been a level of complacency in recent days,” Superintendent Fehon said.

“With Easter approaching we will increase our vigilance to ensure social distancing is maintained and compliance relating to persons leaving homes for non-essential reasons.

“Police are there to support the safety and wellbeing of the whole community at this time of the coronavirus pandemic.”

To view the NSW Public Health Order, click here.

The essential reasons residents can leave their home for include:

• Work, if a person can’t work from home
• To attend school or an educational institution
• To visit shops for food and other essential items
• To get medical care
• To exercise.

ENDS

Media contact:
Mr Conaghan – 0418 928 744
Ms Williams – 0409 834 648