TAMWORTH police have called on the community to do their bit to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
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Oxley Police Chief Inspector Jeff Budd said while police had powers to help enforce social distancing, the community still needed to do its bit to stop the spread.
"COVID-19 is obviously a big thing we are all dealing with across Australia and across the world," Chief Inspector Budd said.
"The fact of the matter is, it is here and we have to respond in an appropriate way.
"The only way we will deal with this is if the community takes control and do their bit to stop the spread.
"The virus doesn't move, we move the virus.
"So, our call is for the community to take control, stop touching things, stop mingling with people, stop doing silly things that put your health at risk."
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Tamworth mayor Col Murray echoed Chief Inspector Budd's plea, saying the community had to stick together during this tough time.
"The very clear, overriding message is self-isolation," Cr Murray said.
"We need to take ownership of our problems here in the Tamworth region.
"To date, we have been very fortunate, but I think that is something we can't rely on in the future.
"Please everyone, be responsible and do the right thing."
Chief Inspector Budd said stiff penalties would apply for those breaking self-isolation guidelines.
"As of yesterday [Wednesday], the commissioner of police has given us provisions to issue $1000 tickets, individual tickets, for people who can't be smart," he said.
"It's not something we really want to do, we would much rather people take control of this themselves, because we as a community, are the only ones who can change it.
"So please, take notice of all of the health warnings that are in place."
Chief Inspector Budd said police had "been inundated" with calls regarding people not following the social-distancing guidelines.
"What we have now is that border force give us information of people who have allegedly come back into the country, so we know who should and shouldn't be in isolation," he said.
"There are people in the community who are scared the virus may be transferred, so they are calling the police and we are doing everything we can to engage with the community to point them in the right direction."
Chief Inspector Budd said despite the pandemic, police were still very focused on "normal business".
"It is very challenging because we have the resources we would normally have," he said.
"For us it is business as usual and we are doing the best we can to limit exposure.
"Be rest assured, we are doing our normal business."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
