New South Wales' police commissioner has told officers it's time to start issuing tickets, not warnings, for social distancing infringements as Premier Gladys Berejiklian said .
In a video message to members of the NSW Police Force on Friday, Commissioner Mick Fuller said the force had so far taken a "pragmatic but fair" approach to individuals and businesses while enforcing COVID-19 health orders.
"I think it is time we start issuing tickets over using discretion," he said.
"If you're confident in your powers, please feel free to write those tickets and/or prosecute those individuals.
"If you're not, please continue to use the police operational centre to get advice and guidance."
The message comes as Victoria recorded a record 428 positive tests on Friday, the highest daily tally of any state or territory since the beginning of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, a further 13 cases were recorded in NSW overnight, leading Ms Berejiklian to announce .
Clubs, restaurants, and cafes will from Friday, 24 July, only be able to accept bookings of 10 people or under in line with restrictions for pubs and hotels announced earlier this week.
"We absolutely need everybody seated when they are in a venue. No dancing, no singing, no mingling," Ms Berejiklian said.
The additional pressure on police to fine people or businesses breaching health orders comes after Sydney's The Star casino was fined $5,000 for breaching social distancing rules, just hours after a patron who visited the venue tested positive for coronavirus.
Days earlier, the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Sydney's eastern suburbs was also hit with a $5,500 fine after images emerged of long queues with no social distancing outside the venue.
In Victoria, more than 500 fines have been issued to people breaching lockdown restrictions since the stay-at-home order was reinstated earlier this month.
Police have also checked approximately 22,000 cars and conducted more than 3,000 spot checks at homes, businesses and public places, in Victoria.
"There's a lot of people doing a lot of things they don't want to be doing in this COVID environment, police included," Victoria’s new Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Thursday.
"We don't want to be giving out infringements, it's not what I'd call good for the police reputation to be giving infringements for things that were legal 12 months ago ... but there has to be consequences because you have all these other people doing the right thing."
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. People are also advised to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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