Oxley police commander Superintendent Kylie Endemi said about 20 penalty infringement notices (PINs) had already been handed out by police, a day after a small group of people gathered on Peel Street to rally against the handling of the pandemic.

"A group of our members of the community decided to breach the public health orders in various ways, including being outside without a reasonable excuse and several of them not wearing masks," she said.

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Nine protesters were slapped with PINs after attending a similar rally in Gunnedah, Superintendent Endemi told the Leader.

Officers are continuing to investigate and track down people who attended unauthorised protests across the police district.

Superintendent Endemi urged locals to think about the bigger picture before making a decision to rally again.

"Think about the safety of loved ones and yourself and the wider community," she said.

She said recent positive COVID-19 sewage detections in Tamworth and Gunnedah drove home the need to remain vigilant.

"We have done so incredibly well together as a community to keep everyone here safe," she said. "It's challenging times for everyone ... the police do not enjoy being confronted with situations like that.

"Please, let's not see scenes like that again in the wonderful communities across Tamworth and Gunnedah and outlying villages."

Four people were arrested at the Tamworth protest, and one man has had three charges levelled against him.

Oxley police handed out a total of 30 PINs in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning.

The 'Shut Down Australia' poster called on protesters to rally against lockdowns and mandatory vaccines.

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