Oxley police investigating reports of COVID-safe rules and public health orders across Tamworth, Gunnedah districts

On Monday, police said several people had reported suspected breaches of isolation or travel rules and the phones were ringing from vigilant community members dobbing others in.

Oxley Detective Inspector Jason Darcy said police were investigating a number of reports across the district, in places like Tamworth and Gunnedah, but no fines or penalties had been issued.

"The majority of people are doing the right thing," he said on Monday.

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"The mandatory mask wearing rules for indoors and new social distancing measures in venues only came into force on Saturday night but already we've had a lot of reports of people not following those orders.

"We will investigate those breaches; these are public health orders and they are the rules that we must adhere to now."

Detective Darcy said police had made patrols since Saturday's new restrictions had come into force, and tried to educate those who weren't aware, to ensure compliance with the orders.

He said officers were patrolling lengthy queues for COVID testing, including in Tamworth at the drive-thru at Riverside, to ensure there were no issues.

"People must know that if they don't follow the rules, then not only will community members dob them in, police will step in and take action," Detective Darcy said.

"Anyone with information on breaches of public health orders or travel restrictions or mask rules, then we would encourage them to report that to police and we can make inquiries."

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