'We have reminded a few of our friends in the community of requirements': Inspector Reeves

On Monday night, a public health order was introduced by the NSW Government to beef up the state's social distancing rules and encourage people to stay home.

From Tuesday an individual can now be fined $11,000 or be sent to jail for six months, or both, for leaving their home without a "reasonable excuse".

Inspector Reeves is urging the community to follow government rules and cooperate with police to make sure everything is being done to reduce the spread of the virus.

While the orders are enforceable, he said police across the sector have started reminding some residents of certain restrictions, but no action has had to be taken. He wants to keep it that way however, he said, police will take action against those who put community health and safety at risk or don't comply after a friendly warning.

"The aim of my team and I is to work with our community to implement this change to life as we normally know it. It is a change and we will all work together to make sure everything is being done to reduce the spread of the virus. To date, we have reminded a few of our friends in the community of requirements and have not had to take any action. At the end of the coronavirus situation, I hope we have not taken action against anyone. I mean that sincerely," Mr Reeves said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also announced that public and private gatherings of more than two people are banned.

Inspector Reeves explained what the rule means for people across the Hilltops and Weddin regions.

"What does this mean for our community in the Young Police sector and Hilltops and Weddin local government areas? It means that more than two people cannot gather in public or in private for 'non-essential gatherings', to further restrict the spread of coronavirus," he said.

"Family groups and members of the same household are exempt from this order however, in the interests of your health, it would be best to reduce the number of family members out and about where possible. Of course, with young children, special needs, a lack of babysitting this may not always be possible."

Mr Reeves says exemptions are also in place for essential gatherings including food shopping, the chemist, a healthcare setting, school and workplaces if you can't work from home.

On Monday, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said people should only be leaving their homes for four reasons.

"There are only four reasons why people should be leaving their homes, for work or school if it's not possible for you to do this remotely, for medical reasons, to buy essentials and to exercise," she said.

The latest update from MLHD shows there's two confirmed cases across the Cootamundra electorate (Weddin LGA and Cootamundra-Gundagai LGA).

For more information about what is a non-essential gatherings visit www.health.gov.au.

A summary of the Order:

Limits on movement outside your home

This Order directs that a person must not leave their home without reasonable excuse. Examples of a reasonable excuse include leaving for reasons involving-

Key point: The public cannot leave home without a reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse can be some of the reasons above.

Public gatherings of more than two people

In addition, this Order directs that a person must not participate in a gathering in a public place of more than two persons.

Exceptions include-

Key point: More than two people cannot gather in public unless they are doing one of the activities in the exception above.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Fill in the form below to have your say.