The easing of some COVID-19 social isolation restrictions does not mean a "free-for-all" and rules are still being enforced, police have warned.
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Superintendent Bob Noble of the Riverina Police District told a press conference on Tuesday morning that the restrictions were in place for a reason.
"It's not a green light to do whatever you want, to travel and move around for recreational purposes or because you feel like it," Superintendent Noble said.
"If you're travelling or engaging in outdoor activities or gathering in groups, it should only be for an essential purpose and in compliance with ministerial directions."
Superintendent Noble warned the community against complacency.
"The restrictions are still in place for a reason and we do fear a second wave. We're seeing in other countries a second wave, particularly in rural communities, because people took liberties with the few restrictions that were eased," he said.
"They are in place for a reason and they are still enforceable and we will enforce them as necessary. The directions are there for a reason and people must obey them, otherwise they're breaking the law."
Superintendent Noble backed up a call by health officials for people to seek testing if they had any symptoms linked to the coronavirus.
As of 8am on Tuesday, there were no new coronavirus cases in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
The number of positive results has remained at 45 for more than a month. There are just two cases in the region considered to be still active.
"The reason for that is because the case definition has changed and pretty to be recovered, you have to be 100 per cent back to baseline before you had COVID disease," the MLHD's director of medical services Lenert Bruce told the press conference.
"There may be some patients who develop a post-viral cough and that has to clear up completely before we classify you as recovered."
Dr Bruce praised the Murrumbidgee committee for it's rate of testing. Almost 7500 tests have been carried out, 431 of them in the mobile testing clinic.
"It really is important that people present for testing even if they have the mildest of symptoms. Even if you've just got a runny nose or a scratchy throat or a temperature, call the COVID hotline and we will arrange testing for you.
"Other thing is that once you've had the test, you need to self-isolate up to you have the result back. You cannot assume your result will be negative."
Health officials are also reminding people that a negative test result for COVID-19 does not suggest immunity to the disease, and that people must self-isolate while awaiting test results.
MLHD director of public health, Tracey Oakman, said it is important for people not to develop a false sense of security after being tested, as the result only indicates COVID status at the time the test was taken.
"If you receive a negative test result, that is fantastic, but it doesn't mean you are immune to COVID-19 or that you won't subsequently contract the disease," she said. "If you develop symptoms again, in the following week for example, please get tested again.
"It is important for people to understand that over time, they may need to be tested multiple times, and that is a responsible thing to do."
Ms Oakman said it is also important for people to self-isolate at home while they are waiting for test results.
COVID-19 testing is advised for people experiencing fever, dry cough, sore (scratchy) throat, shortness of breath or a runny or stuffy nose. To book a test call 1800 831 099.