A Riverina woman has been slapped with a $1000 fine after travelling to a hotspot and attempting to return home.
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It was one of four penalty infringement notices issued by officers in the region since Wednesday as Sydney continues to grapple with it's outbreak.
Riverina Police District Commander Bob Noble said there is a focus on making sure residents and visitors are not breaching public health orders.
He said while there have been no confirmed cases in the area yet, it remains a "live risk".
Officers were notified that a woman from Tumblong had breached orders and started an investigation.
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"This woman from the Riverina had allegedly left the area and gone to the Illawarra area and then had returned in contravention of those orders," Superintendent Noble said.
"She was issued a $1000 fine.
"Whilst we don't like to do that, if people are going to place the health and safety of others at risk, we will be enforcing those orders through fines or whatever means necessary."
Superintendent Noble said police had also received reports of businesses "copping flack" when trying to tell consumers to follow public health orders.
"But, they are to be congratulated for trying to do the right thing," he said.
"They are trying to keep their communities safe, their staff safe, and their customers safe.
"I think people can rest assured if they try to do something a little bit cute or a little bit sneaky, there is a fair chance you will get detected and face the consequences."
There are increased patrols on majors highways with officers from multiple areas to help protect the regions from the Sydney outbreak.
When asked if there should be a "ring of steel" around Sydney, deputy police commissioner, Gary Worboys said that operations are in place to target entry points to country NSW.
"Quite clearly, particularly in country NSW, those communities are very, very keen to see people comply with the public health orders," he said during Thursday's press conference.
"Each one of those reports to Crime Stoppers, no matter how it's made, is investigated and quite often sees people issued with breach notices or return to Sydney."
Superintendent Noble thanked those who have been following the rule, adding the firmer people are with following the rules, the sooner restrictions can be eased.
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