NSW residents can't just go for a drive while everyone is meant to be social distancing, with the state's top police officer saying it's not a reasonable excuse for being out and about.
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Commissioner Mick Fuller says people can't go for a recreational drive even if they don't get out of their vehicle.
"It's not a reasonable excuse," he told ABC radio on Tuesday.
Mr Fuller's ruling came after a learner driver in Victoria was slapped with a $1652 fine, later revoked, for driving with her mother in the passenger seat.
The commissioner noted that while the learner driver incident occurred interstate, "I'm sure there are examples in NSW."
He said driving to work was OK, as was heading out in a car to purchase food, seek medical assistance or find somewhere to exercise.
"But if we carve out every activity, then there's no point having the isolation," Mr Fuller said.
"If you don't really need to do it, then stay home and stay safe.
"States and territories around the world who haven't taken this seriously have been punished through lots of deaths."
Under COVID-19 measures, police officers have the power to hand out fines of $1000 to individuals and $5000 to businesses that breach public health orders or ministerial directions.
Mr Fuller said there had been a lot of cautions and he had asked for a "high degree of police using their powers of discretion".
NSW Police has issued 10 court attendance notices and 122 infringement notices since March 17.
Four teenagers were charged with disobeying COVID-19 restrictions after they were involved in a police pursuit in Sydney's southwest on Monday night.
Police attempted to stop the allegedly stolen vehicle in Lansvale and were assisted by a police helicopter when the pursuit became dangerous.
The car was spotted at a petrol station in Leppington where it allegedly rammed a police vehicle before the four teenagers - two boys aged 15 and 16 and two girls aged 16 and 14 - were arrested.
A 26-year-old man was also arrested on Monday after police were called to reports of a church break-in near Newcastle.
The man was charged for not obeying COVID-19 restrictions and breaking and entering.
A 39-year-old woman was charged on Monday for breaching new restrictions after she refused to leave a casino.
Two police officers were among those to be issued $1000 infringement notices after breaching public health orders while off-duty over the weekend.
Police say a 27-year-old senior constable looked intoxicated when officers saw her being assisted by a man in Sydney's CBD on Saturday night.
She was taken to St Vincent's Hospital for treatment before being released the following morning.
Police established that she and the 31-year-old man had been at a social gathering at a nearby apartment, along with a 27-year-old male senior constable, a 28-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman. All five have been fined.
A Sydney brothel was fined $5000 on Monday after police received information it was still operating.
A staff member and a customer each received $1000 fines.
Australian Associated Press
