Orange mayor Reg Kidd has lashed three men who traveled through Orange while knowingly COVID-19 positive, while police have described the actions of the rogue removalists as "particularly disturbing".
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Cr Kidd urged the community to remain "sensible" and deputy premier John Barilaro said regional NSW must "stay vigilant" after it was revealed a new positive COVID-19 case traveled through Blayney and Parkes on the weekend.
But the Orange mayor was less apathetic towards the removalists from West Hoxton who caused wide-spread concern on Friday when it was confirmed they stopped at several locations in the Central West - including a storage shed in Orange - while carrying the virus.
What in the bloody hell were they doing?
- Reg Kidd on the three removalists
"You have to be sensible and holidays will be put back, and you have to feel sorry for a lot of people in Sydney who are doing the right thing," Cr Kidd said.
"But I will say this, with those bloody blokes that new they were positive ... what in the bloody hell were they doing travelling anywhere?"
The three removalists were given a police escort back to Sydney after being charged with failing to adhere to public health orders, and they will isolate for 14 days.
Meanwhile, a pet food courier who delivered goods to depots at Parkes and Blayney has since tested positive for COVID-19, it was confirmed at Premier Gladys Berejiklian's press conference on Sunday.
Residents will on Monday be able to get tested at a drive-thru clinic in Blayney, while the COVID-19 drive-thru clinic in Molong has been operational at the train station since Saturday.
Drive-thru clinics at the Orange Showground and Mount Panorama have also been in action for Orange and Bathurst respectively since the start of the weekend, too. There's also a clinic open in Parkes.
There's a strong sense that country people won't tolerate this type of behaviour. It puts them at risk.
- State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys
Deputy premier John Barilaro said there's been significant freight movement into areas like Parkes, Molong, Blayney and Orange since the lockdown in Sydney, and with cases now linked to some of those freight lines the leader of the Nationals has pleaded with regional NSW to "stay vigilant in the community".
It's a message Cr Kidd backed.
"The most important thing we can do is wear face masks, maintain our social distancing and be just sensible," he said.
"Am I going to go to the pub and have a beer still? Of course, but I'll be doing the right thing: sitting down and wear a mask when needed.
"Honestly, if you think about logistics and movements, all over NSW moving is essential; be it delivering food, fuel, medical supplies. If you start locking the place up those deliveries stop. That can't happen. There has to be a certain amount of movement.
"All we can do is be sensible about it all and do the right thing."
There were 105 new cases announced at Sunday's press conference in Sydney, 27 of those new cases have been out in the community with infectious.
"It's important we protect regional NSW," Mr Barilaro said.
"My advice to regional NSW is to keep doing what we're doing.
"We have a level of freedom in regional NSW we don't have in Sydney ... and we want to keep that.
"Wear a mask, follow the rules and make sure the message to Sydney is clear: do not come to the regions at this time."
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said the behaviour of the three removalists was "particularly disturbing" and stressed the penalties for such blatant flouting of current public health orders could land those offending fines of up to $11,000 and jail time.
"Despite the health advice they've left home and put people in regional NSW at risk," Mr Worboys said.
"There's a strong sense that country people won't tolerate this type of behaviour. It puts them at risk."
Testing sites in Blayney and Parkes are being established in both towns, from Sunday.
DRIVE-THRU TESTING CLINIC LOCATIONS
Parkes
- Location: Parkes Showground, entry via Victoria St
Blayney
- A drive through clinic will be operating on Monday in Blayney, more details to come.
Molong
- Location: Dr Ross Memorial Recreation Ground, Edward Street entrance
- Time: Monday 8am - 4pm
- Testing is free and no appointment is required. People being tested should remain in their cars.
Orange
- Location: Orange Showground
- Time: Monday 8am to 4pm
- Testing is free and no appointment is required. People being tested should remain in their cars.
Bathurst
- Location: Mount Panorama.
- Time: Monday 8am to 4pm
- Testing is free and no appointment is required. People being tested should remain in their cars.
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