Out on the territory's borderlands, the officer in charge of traffic operations for the ACT has had his troops working the roads in an unaccustomed capacity: community health.
While traditionally the Easter holidays are when NSW and ACT police mesh their highway operations to counter what is known as the "fatal five" - fatigue, not wearing seatbelts, distracted driving, speeding and drink or drug-driving - this particular period has introduced an unexpected sixth factor.
Police are now watching for people heading away from the ACT for their Easter holiday who in doing so, may unintentionally spread the coronavirus to vulnerable communities in NSW.
With far fewer health resources available in country centres, the concern is that Canberrans travelling into those areas could be the vectors, or carriers, which generate new outbreaks and then overwhelm local intensive care capacities.
Throughout Good Friday, ACT traffic patrol cars had their key message displayed in constant, rolling ticker across their rooftop display boards: STAY HOME.
And the good news is: people are listening.
"I've never seen such a small amount of Easter traffic," detective sergeant Marcus Boorman said.
READ MORE:
- Two new ACT coronavirus cases under investigation
- Students 'grieve' normal school life as Term 2 plans announced
- Which suburbs have the most COVID-19 cases?
Traffic officers working the Barton, Kings, Federal and Monaro highways stopped and spoke to 150 motorists with ACT registration plates crossing the border in the period up to 4pm Friday.
The ACT has adopted a lenient, educative approach to enforcing the health restrictions but Chief Minister Andrew Barr warned earlier this week that once motorists cross the border, their blue and white registration plates made them an obvious target for NSW police attention and a potential fine.
Most motorists provided ACT police with legitimate, essential reasons for their travel. Four decided to turn around and drive back into the ACT. No fines were issued for breaching health restrictions but there were 10 infringements issued for traffic offences such as using a mobile phone while driving and speeding, and several cautions issued.
Two drivers were apprehended for driving under the influence of drugs.
"We're doing our usual checks but we're also asking people the purpose of their travel," sergeant Boorman said.
"While this is obviously very new ground for everyone, all the interactions I had with people were very positive and they were very appreciative of us being out there.
"And we will continue patrolling for the full four days."
ACT chief police officer Ray Johnson has warned that not only would traffic officers be working the border conduits, but rural patrol officers in a 4WD vehicle based out of Tuggeranong station, who well know the more remote western and southern areas of the ACT, would be "moving on" people deciding to have camping holidays.
"I understand that may be tempting to ... free yourself of the confines of your lounge room, but I would also advise you that is not appropriate," assistant commissioner Johnson said.
"Our rural patrol will be paying attention to the rural areas of the ACT and you will be moved on if you are setting up camp there."
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. If you're looking to stay up to date on COVID-19, you can also sign up for our twice-daily digest here.
.png?w=600)
