But despite the NSW government's order for people to stay home because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Port Stephens police were on Friday investigating several reports that people had snuck in from out of town to stay at holiday accommodation.

Acting Inspector Kristin Marshall told the Newcastle Herald police had received multiple reports from residents of the Nelson Bay area about people who had allegedly arrived at Port Stephens for the long-weekend.

"We did try to counteract that," she said.

"During the week we attended a number of local real estates and travel providers - holiday letters - issued them all with a warning."

No-one had been fined at the time of publication - police were still following up on the reports.

Acting Inspector Marshall said behaviour from locals had been good as of Friday afternoon, with police patrolling shopping centres and public places.

She said there had not been a problem with people gathering at swimming spots, but police expected that might change on Saturday when fine weather is due.

"We will have extra police patrolling those areas," she said.

"We have definitely increased our presence on the road because of Operation Tortoise and we're obviously not stopping people going to the supermarket, pharmacy or going to work but the message is that travelling on holidays is not essential.

"The community is really taking things seriously and we appreciate the assistance they are giving to us."

The Hunter has again featured in the latest list of charges and fines related to breaches of coronavirus restrictions.

A 33-year-old woman was charged after the Holden Commodore she was driving crashed into a set of traffic lights at Glendale just before 10pm on Thursday.

Police allege the woman took her three-year-old child out of the car and fled the scene after the crash and she later failed to provide officers with a breath test.

They also allege she left her other child - aged two - unsupervised at home.

The woman was arrested and several charges have been levelled at her.

The children were placed in the care of a responsible adult and police notified Family and Community Services. She will face court in June.

In another incident, police spoke with a 40-year-old man and 54-year-old woman at a Lake Macquarie boat ramp about 1.30am on Thursday.

Police fined the pair $1000 each and seized the bike after the man and woman gave differing reasons as to why they were at the location.

In the news: