Non-essential travel between regional NSW towns and remote communities must be cancelled and Easter holidaymakers should indefinitely postpone their visits, in line with the nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said on Tuesday.
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She said people need to stay at home and restrict their essential movements to the local community.
The National Cabinet has asked all Australians to stay at home unless they are shopping for essentials, receiving medical care, undertaking daily exercise or attending work or school, Mrs Tuckerman said.
"This is something I never thought I would have to say. Please do not travel to the region. COVID-19 does not discriminate and does not care about borders, so now is not the time to travel. Whether it be plans to visit family, travel between towns or to relocate, the safest thing you can do right now is stay home and stay in your own region," Mrs Tuckerman said.
"It is important everyone understands that COVID-19 isn't just impacting cities and these measures will help protect the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community.
"To help slow the spread we need people to do the right thing by our families, friends and neighbours, which means staying 1.5 metres away from others, no social gatherings, washing hands and ensuring that if you are sick, you self-isolate."
Deputy Premier and minister for regional NSW John Barilaro said he was worried about city residents travelling to regional NSW during Easter in an attempt to escape quarantine, which would be extremely dangerous for country communities.
"We continue to battle the worst drought in recorded history, we have endured bushfires that took the lives of 25 people and destroyed more than 2,400 homes and what we don't need is people spreading the virus across regional NSW," Mr Barilaro said.
"I know towns hit hard by the drought and bushfires are relying on holidaymakers to keep people in jobs and put food on the table, but right now health and safety is paramount and lives depend on every single one of us doing our part to help by staying at home."
Mr Barilaro said help was available to people across regional NSW, particularly people who were isolated and the elderly, and encouraged anyone who needed a hand to call the NSW Government's COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88.
