Taxi and rideshare companies face fines of up to half a million dollars if they take passengers into Sydney's CBD on Saturday, as NSW Police desperately try to prevent a sequel to last weekend's anti-lockdown protest.
NSW Police have set up an exclusion zone around the city from 9am to 3pm.
People trying to get to the city and surrounds will find it difficult, after seven taxi and rideshare services received a prohibition notice banning them from taking passengers to the CBD over the six-hour period.
A notice in the Uber app said the orders prohibited transit through the large area, as well as any pick-ups and drop-offs.
"This is likely to cause significant disruption and we advise you to consider alternatives for any essential travel to and from these areas during this period," it said.
Companies who fail to comply risk a maximum penalty of $500,000, and individuals could be fined up to $100,000, NSW Police say.
The large zone stretches from the Bradfield Highway at Milsons Point north of the Harbour Bridge, to the City West Link at Lilyfield, to South Dowling St near Todman Ave at Zetland, and east to New South Head Rd near Ocean Ave at Edgecliff.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said the restrictions had been put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable people.
"Essential workers, or anyone that requires medical treatment, will be able to make their way to their destinations," he said.
"These restrictions have been put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect those most vulnerable in our communities from harm.
Police are promising that more than 1000 officers will be working to ensure Sydney "remains free from illegal protest activity".
They expect a protest after monitoring online activity, but believe it will not be in the same numbers as the one that shook Sydney last weekend.
Some 60 protesters were charged and 200 people fined over the protest that police estimate had 3500 attendees.
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