Tamworth COVID-19 update: Multi-site 'vax-a-thon' planned for Tamworth, Gunnedah, police come down hard on rule-breakers

Oxley police commander Superintendent Kylie Endemi said three people had been slapped with court attendance notices in the past few days, amid 20 penalty infringement notices that were also dished out.

One woman will front Tamworth Local Court after allegedly travelling to Tamworth from Armidale without a reasonable excuse just days after police claim Armidale officers had also spoken to her.

Superintendent Endemi said two men will "be placed before the court to answer the fact that they continue to breach the public health order and are placing the people in our communities at risk" after allegedly travelling between Tamworth and Gunnedah on multiple occasions.

She highlighted it was a small minority of people who are doing the wrong thing, but even then they were not slipping through the cracks.

"The good news is we are detecting them and we are taking action," she said.

"Enough is enough, people know now what the rules are."

She urged locals not to give into lockdown weariness and continue doing the right thing.

"Our [local government areas] are in a good position at the moment but it's important to remember that could change at any moment if people do the wrong thing," she said.

Police will be out in force again over the weekend patrolling businesses, local streets and the region's roads.

AFTER two highly successful mass vaccination hubs saw hundreds of Northern Tablelands locals roll up their sleeves for a jab in Armidale and Inverell, plans have been ramped up for Tamworth and Gunnedah equivalents.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson told the Leader an announcement will be made early next week on when the community will see its own walk-in hub.

He said conversations in relation to a "multi-site vax-a-thon" later in August in Tamworth utilising the town's GP network is currently ongoing.

Asked why the Northern Tablelands was able to secure mass vaccination hubs before the Tamworth electorate, he said "each community is unique in terms of its size and in terms of its need".

"Plus, also the availability of that GP network and what that GP network is able to deliver from a capacity and a capability perspective," he said.

"We are seeing GPs working seven days a week at this point in time in relation to delivering vaccinations.

"So not only are they seeing their normal patients, but in addition to that their workload has doubled and trebled in some instances."

The University of New England with their UNE medical centre were able to offer mass vaccination hubs, "which is great news and each community is different", he said.

"Our public health orders clearly state we should not congregate, we should not come together, so to reduce the risk of contamination and spread with mass congregations, let's look at using our GP networks in Tamworth and Gunnedah," he said.

According to data published by the Australian Government on August 16, 45.6 per cent of people in the New England and North West have had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 21.8 per cent are fully vaccinated.

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TAMWORTH'S business community is screaming for support, and mayor Col Murray has implored the community to do all they can to help.

"Our local businesses are in a world of pain at the moment with the implications and the outcomes of COVID-19," he said.

"If there's any opportunity at all to support a local business please consider doing that.

"Lots of our hospitality sector, our restaurants are offering takeaway and click and collect services so please try and support local business and please forget about ordering over the internet now unless it is a local business.

"Let's think about all trying to come through this together. If we can bunker down and support each other, I think we've got a good chance of coming out of this."

The mayor remained positive that lockdown would be lifted for regional NSW on Saturday, August 28, as the deputy premier alluded to on Thursday.

There is very little change in local government services to the community, he said, with call centres still open to provide any assistance required on 6767 5550.

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