LOCAL police have begun door knocking patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in places like Tamworth, as well as those ordered into self-isolation.
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The names and details of returned travellers; confirmed COVID-19 patients; as well as those ordered to remain in isolation have now been shared between NSW Health and NSW Police.
The Leader was told up until the weekend the information had not been sent by NSW Health - which is the lead agency leading the COVID-19 crisis.
It meant the enforcement of the government's strict self-isolation and quarantine measures was reliant on locals to dob in those breaking the rules.
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It didn't stop police from acting, after a Boggabri woman and a Tamworth man became the first locally to be charged with breaching self-isolation directions, copping a $1000 fine each.
Now, police know who should be in isolation, to determine who is flouting the rules. The Leader understands that information finally flowed to allow police to start door knocks and welfare checks on the weekend.
The Leader has been told some patients across Tamworth and the New England North West who are in quarantine after contracting the virus have already had a knock at the door from local police.
A spokesperson for NSW Police told the Leader in a statement that the force was working with NSW Health "to ensure police officers can readily access the information required to monitor compliance with, and enforce, the Minister's Directions".
NSW Health confirmed on Monday that the order that allows government agencies to share information "for the purposes of protecting the health or welfare" was "made on 25 March and has commenced operation".
"NSW Health has provided NSW Police with information on current quarantined COVID-19 patients in NSW," a NSW Health spokesperson said.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said police will continually be notified by HNEH "to coordinate to ensure those people are complying.
"Information provided by Hunter New England Health in relation to specific locations of those in self-isolation under a public health order after being tested will be provided to NSW Police," he said.