A new permit system will be introduced by the NSW Government, requiring people to receive approval before travelling from Sydney to the Central Coast for particular reasons.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the permit system would limit people from travelling between a Sydney-based primary residence and a Central Coast-based holiday home.
“There have been too many Sydneysiders exploiting this loophole and potentially putting our region’s health and safety at risk,” Mr Crouch said.
“We are in the most critical phase of fighting COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Now is not the time for Sydneysiders to treat our community as a holiday destination.
“I have brought these significant concerns to Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s attention and thank her for ensuring our region remains as best-protected as possible.
“The permits will take effect on Saturday, 21 August and anyone who does not comply with the system or lies to authorities will cop a $5,000 on-the-spot fine.”
Permits will be accessible through Service NSW and will be required for:
“The Police presence on arterial roads and backroads will be enhanced with the creation of random vehicle checkpoints, manned by 1,400 additional officers deployed to enforce the permit system as part of Operation Stay At Home,” Mr Crouch said.
“Any non-compliance will not be tolerated because it only takes one person doing the wrong thing for COVID-19 to rapidly spread.”
Central Coast residents are reminded to anonymously report suspected breaches of the Public Health Orders to Crime Stoppers at: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.