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NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard warns people not to flout social distancing rules in light of eased lockdown restrictions as three new coronavirus cases are recorded in the state.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard is warning people not to flout social distancing rules in light of eased lockdown restrictions, as three new coronavirus cases are recorded in NSW.
Key points:

  • Health authorities tested 9,982 people for COVID-19 yesterday
  • Police tasered and arrested a man allegedly involved in a social-distancing stoush
  • Doctors have been reporting dramatic declines in people presenting with non-COVID-19 problems

Mr Hazzard said he was pleased social-distancing restrictions had been relaxed but was concerned about the size of crowds.
“We have seen when one major retailer opened last week, people literally piled up at the front,” he said.
“That is not COVID-safe, that is COVID-dangerous.”
Yesterday, the NSW Government eased some restrictions, including cafes and restaurants having up to 10 patrons.
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Mr Hazzard said he personally observed people in breach of health advice.
“Certainly from what I have seen, there are a lot more people out, but there are also a lot of people who are not actually adhering to the social distancing message,” he said.
“I know that even in my local area this morning, I saw a group of bicycle riders getting their Saturday morning exercise and sitting close together in their coffee shop.
“We need vigilance and we need to make sure the sacrifice we have all endured in the last few months sees positive outcomes going forward.”
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Health authorities said they conducted 9,982 coronavirus tests on Friday, while NSW Police said they issued one infringement for breaching social-distancing rules.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar said the cold, rainy weather in Sydney resulted in fewer people being out than would have been expected in better conditions.
He congratulated the community for their adherence to regulations.
“We’re in a very, very positive situation with low numbers being recorded and we just ask members of the community to continue to comply with those conditions,” he said.
He also gave an update on a case involving a woman who was assaulted with a bottle at a Woolworths in Miller, Western Sydney.
The 59-year-old woman was hit by a man standing closely behind her, police said.
“It’s been alleged that the shop patron has asked the individual to step back, to give some social distancing and she was assaulted by that individual,” he said.
“That’s not acceptable.”
Police said a man was found by police at a park in Green Valley.
When approached by officers, the man allegedly produced a meat cleaver and was then tasered.
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Mr Hazzard said while the “virus is still among us”, he urged people to not neglect medical attention for non-COVID-19 problems.
He said the Australian Medical Association reported 85 per cent of GPs were seeing far fewer patients, with some reporting they were seeing a third to a half of their normal patient load.
“There are a lot of people in the past few months who have simply shut down their own medical attention,” he said.
“That is a real problem because people who have medical issues, even if you don’t know you have a medical issue, you should still be going to your GP.”
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