The NSW Police Deputy Commissioner said anyone even thinking of attending a lockdown protest in Newcastle this weekend is "simply irresponsible".
Police have received intelligence that a protest has been planned in the city this weekend, but they warned that attending could put the Hunter's good progress against the coronavirus at risk.
Police Regional NSW Field Operations Commander Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing said people wanting to protest should "find another way to express your opinion".
"It is simply irresponsible to be even considering that at this point in time," he said.
"We're most certainly not about preventing the right to free speech but it has to be done safely and now is certainly not the occasion for it.
"It is frustrating. I know that there are people who can't do what they normally do but we simply have to have people stay at home."
Northern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said he would be "happy if we don't have to give out one single ticket or take any action", but that police wouldn't hesitate to take action if people are gathering.
"We're going in the right direction," he said. "We want to get out of this lockdown as quickly as possible. Now is not the time for this and we won't tolerate it.
"This Delta variant is like nothing we've ever seen before. There's been so much on the news... no one can say that they're not well informed about what this Delta variant is like and how it will get out of control so quickly.
"So I encourage people don't come. Don't come with the attitude you're going to have a mass gathering for the wrong reasons, that you're going to protest in Newcastle over this weekend, because if you do police will be there and we will take action."
