Hunter police say they will continue "high visibility patrols" across the region and assist health officials with arrivals at Newcastle Airport in the wake of the NSW-Victoria border closing this week.
The border has been shut since Wednesday to all but those with special exemptions after a new spike in COVID-19 in Melbourne - the greater metropolitan area has been placed in a six-week lockdown.
It comes as flights continue to arrive at Newcastle Airport from Tullamarine, the southern capital's major airport.
Acting Superintendent Alan Janson, who commands the police district that takes in the Williamtown travel hub, said officers would continue to help NSW Health officials who were screening passengers arriving in the Hunter from Victoria.
"From next week, there will be a reduction in the number of services arriving at the airport from Melbourne," he said.
"NSW Health will continue to run the response for arrived passengers, supported by NSW Police."
The Newcastle Herald understands there is no official order for broader police checks across the Hunter to be targeted at people travelling in vehicles with Victorian license plates.
Newcastle City Police District commander Superintendent Brett Greentree said active "high-visibility patrols" that began in March would continue.
"We will be observing our busier locations - including restaurants, cafes and licensed venues - whilst school holidays continue, and will continue to advise people of the relevant Public Health Orders," he said.
"A number of ministerial directions remain in place, covering returned overseas travellers, diagnosed persons, mass gatherings and movement, spitting and coughing, residential aged care facilities and the recent announcement of restrictions for persons from Victoria."
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in Sydney on Thursday that people across NSW "should all be in a state of high alert" for the coming weeks.
"We should all be more conscious of the fact that there could be elements of community transmission, especially in those border communities, that haven't been picked up," she said.
"That's why we need to be extremely careful, no matter where we are, especially if anybody has had contact with anybody who has been in greater Melbourne in the last few weeks."
