Central West Police District commander Superintendent Steve Kentwell has praised the community response to spacial distancing measures in Orange.
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Superintendent Kentwell said since stay-at-home restrictions were introduced there was only one penalty infringement notice issued within the police district at Forbes.
"The person was warned a couple of times but continued to ignore those warnings and stay at home and practice the safe social distancing," Superintendent Kentwell said.
"But most people have been really compliant which has been fantastic.
"Most people have realised this is not a quick fix, this is a longer term strategy coming from the Department of Health and the Health Minister and police.
"I'm really impressed with how everyone has come on board with it and I'm not sure if we will ever get back to what we were, it's a funny feeling."
Superintendent Kentwell said although the community response has been good, police will continue to ensure people comply with restrictions.
I think people can become complacent and not think about it at this time, they get used to it.
- Superintendent Steve Kentwell
"We still have daily taskings around [high visibility policing] around shopping centres," he said.
"Obviously there's no activity around licensed premises so we are fortunate to have a little bit more scope around those other business inspections to ensure people are practicing those safe social distancing and all the rest.
"I think the government at the moment is trying to get everyone to download that app, that app is for the purpose to help protect people and the like and we encourage everyone to do that.
"The warning is just to continue to listen to what the Health Minister's directions are, there's daily news briefings in the morning at about 8am every day, listen to what they say, comply with what they are asking and the more the people do that the sooner we will get through this."
Superintendent Kentwell also warned people not to become complacent and said police have been moving on people from all walks of life.
"It's part of the warning process I think people can become complacent and not think about it at this time, they get used to it," he said.
"What was the norm now isn't the norm and now what is the new norm is.
"It's just a friendly reminder really.
"Sometimes they just forget."
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Tanya Marschke
I am based at Orange and cover a wide range of subjects as well as the weekly business column. I've worked consistently in the the media industry since 2006 including the past seven years at the Central Western Daily. Before moving to Orange, I worked as a journalist at weekly newspapers the Beaudesert Times and the Gold Coast Sun in Queensland, as well as the Scone Advocate in the Hunter Valley. I started my career at the Ridge News in Lightning Ridge while I completed my journalism studies remotely at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.
I am based at Orange and cover a wide range of subjects as well as the weekly business column. I've worked consistently in the the media industry since 2006 including the past seven years at the Central Western Daily. Before moving to Orange, I worked as a journalist at weekly newspapers the Beaudesert Times and the Gold Coast Sun in Queensland, as well as the Scone Advocate in the Hunter Valley. I started my career at the Ridge News in Lightning Ridge while I completed my journalism studies remotely at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.
