A woman "mooning" the light rail. A man who spat on police during an arrest. A 24-year-old man who was at Broadmeadow railway station because he was "sick of being at home".
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These people are among dozens who have been fined in the Lower Hunter for breaching Public Health Act laws introduced last month to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Newcastle Herald understands that officers in the Newcastle police district have handed out at least 17 $1000 fines related to the coronavirus in recent weeks.
Lake Macquarie police have dished out another 19 infringement notices, and the Highway Patrol fined 19 people at a burnout rally at Stockrington last weekend.
Officers in the Port Stephens-Hunter district have also fined people for ignoring warnings to go home and have investigated two incidents of people deliberately coughing on others.
The penalties relate to new rules governing social distancing, unnecessary travel and business operations.
Many have been imposed on people arrested for other crimes, including domestic assaults and break-ins. It is understood those fined have been charged with at least 60 other offences not related to coronavirus restrictions.
In one case, a 62-year-old was charged with assault and fined $5000 for spitting on police while they were arresting another man over an alleged domestic violence incident at Metford.
Newcastle Superintendent Brett Greentree said police were pleased with the way the public had responded to the restrictions.
"Generally speaking, it's been pretty good," he said.
The community's cooperation and the police crackdown on those determined to break the rules have helped the region contain the spread of the virus.
"The point of all this is to stop the spread of the virus, and that appears to be working," Supt Greentree said.
Hunter New England Health district has recorded no new cases in the past three days, and only one patient is being treated for COVID-19 complications in a Hunter intensive care unit.
Police across NSW have issued 560 fines for breaching the Act since March 17.
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