9NNSW Police have set up a major command post in Sydney's Hyde Park in a bid to stop a repeat of anti-lockdown protests that filled the city's streets last weekend.
More than 1000 officers have been deployed to enforce strict lockdown laws and arrest anyone contravening stay-at-home orders.
And a prohibition notice issued by NSW Police will ban taxi, rideshare and passenger services from taking passengers into Sydney's CBD between 9am.
The boundaries of the exclusion zone are –
- Western boundary – West Link Road and The Crescent at Lilyfield
- Southern boundary – South Dowling Street and Todman Avenue at Zetland
- Northern boundary – Bradfield Highway at Milsons Point
- Eastern boundary – New South Head Road and Ocean Avenue at Edgecliff
"A pandemic is not the time to protest and this prohibition notice is just one of the tools police have implemented today to ensure the safety of the community," Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said in a statement.
"These restrictions have been put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect those most vulnerable in our communities from harm.
"Essential workers, or anyone that requires medical treatment, will be able to make their way to their destinations.
Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon had a strict message for anyone considering attending protests.
"Quite simply, the message is to stay at home," he told Today.
"The intent of the public health order is very clear, and that is to restrict movement and gathering to stop the spread of this virus.
"There will be a significant police presence today, which will ensure compliance with the public health orders.
"If you wish to come into town for the purpose of a protest, we will take appropriate action. Whether that's by infringement notice or you may be arrested and charged, don't come into town for that purpose."
https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/1421246734890684416?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwStrikeforce Season, set up to investigate last week's protests, have so far arrested 80 people over their involvement in the rally and issued more than 300 infringement notices.
Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said officers from all sections of the force were on hand to stop a repeat this weekend.
"We will have over 1000 police dedicated to this operation," he said.
"We will have general duties police, public order and riot police and a range of specialist sections. We will certainly have a fantastic number of police here to police this operation."
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Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said he welcomes the support of Australian Defence Force soldiers to help ensure compliance with tough lockdown restrictions in Sydney's hotspot Local Government Areas.
"We have a great relationship with the ADF. We work closely with them across a range of operations," he said.
"Only last year we used the ADF in a very similar compliance operation to ensure that people were complying with the public health order. That's very much how we will be using them this time.
"The ADF will be here to complement the work that NSW police do and it is all about compliance, stopping the spread of the virus and ensuring that we can get out of this lockdown and have everyone move on with their lives."
