Ahead of the Easter long weekend, community leaders have urged people stay away and stay home as the region continues to move in the right direction in the fight against coronavirus.
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With two of Griffith's three confirmed cases to date having recovered from the disease, Griffith mayor John Dal Broi said while the region is moving in the right direction with cases on the decline, the community needs to remain vigilant to ensure the trend continues.
"All the information we are receiving from health authorities state we have to be vigilant - there could be a spike in cases going forward if we relax too much," Councillor Dal Broi said.
"For the benefit of all of us going forward it is of the utmost importance we maintain social distancing.
"The community has been wonderful so far ... [but] it's a challenge to keep them [the case numbers] there."
Cr Dal Broi agreed with calls for tourists and visitors to not travel to the city over the long weekend and while he wished everyone a happy and safe Easter, he hoped people would heed the calls and remain in their homes for the long weekend.
"Under normal circumstances I would be out there welcoming tourists, visitors and families to come visit us," Cr Dal Broi said.
"I have to say with a heavy heart - do not come.
"Stay home for the weekend ... stay safe and stay well.
"We don't want to see any spikes in our region."
MLHD's executive director of medical services Dr Lenert Bruce said on Thursday it was vital those living in the region adhere to the social distancing measures put in place over the Easter long weekend.
While a total of 2318 people have been tested in the health district for COVID-19 to date, Dr Bruce said there has been a decrease in tests being asked for - encouraging as many people as possible to be tested as it is the safest way to locate any cases in the community.
"If we do not follow the social distancing we will undo all the good work we have done in the past two, three, four weeks," Dr Bruce said.
"It's tough but we need to stick together to make sure we protect lives in Australia.
"We really want to encourage the community that if you have any symptoms like fever, coughing, sore throat, general fatigue or just muscle ache or shortness of breath is that you call our COVID hotline and arrange to have a test done ... It is more dangerous for people not to be tested and be infecting the rest of the community than actually having a test."
As people are asked to remain at home over the long weekend, the police are gearing up to ensure those measures are enforced.
Murrumbidgee Police District Commander Superintendent Craig Ireland said while the police understands everyone frustrations with the restrictions in place, they are vital to protect the community.
"The current orders as outlined by the NSW Premier and the NSW Health Minister state that a person must have a reasonable excuse to leave their home at this time," Superintendent Ireland said.
"These rules are in place to protect millions of people across the state - holidays and travel are not essential.
"The risks greatly outweigh the benefits, and it is now law to stay put. This is about everyone's actions - everyone has to band together to slow the spread of COVID-19."
Superintendent Ireland said while the district appreciates the pressures businesses in the tourism industry are under, an increase in visitors could further the spread of the virus and negatively impact the region's health system.
"All of these rules are in place to protect the health and safety of not just travellers, but residents in our smaller communities," he said.
"An influx of visitors could put our health systems under pressure, whilst potentially transferring the virus from one part of the state to another.
"We know this is hard, especially after the heartbreaking bushfire season and ongoing drought impacting many of our holiday destinations. But this is something every person has to do - everyone needs to do their part."
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The Superintendent's comments come as Murrumbidgee Police District officers prepare to crack down on road rules over the Easter long weekend with Operation Tortoise - with double demerits in effect from 12.01am on Thursday until 11.59pm on Monday.
"We understand that people still need to travel to work and to fetch essential supplies, and our message to these people is simple - we will be out and about enforcing the road rules," Superintendent Ireland said.
"Wear your seat-belt, don't drink and drive, and stick to the speed limit.
"These are messages we have always provided and will continue to do so because, quite simply, these are the factors costing lives on our roads."