Port Macquarie's Billy Axford says young people shouldn't be singled out when it comes to the government's messaging in relation to reining in social gatherings.
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Last week NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged the state's young people to limit their movements.
A man in his 20s, who was confirmed as a case on Thursday, August 6, attended several Newcastle venues between July 31 and August 2 including Bennett Hotel in Hamilton, Sydney Junction Hotel in Hamilton and the Wests New Lambton club.
Mr Axford said the premier's health warning should apply to everyone, not only the young.
"I get that a lot of young people are known to rebel and go against what they should do, because they want to go out and see their friends," he said.
"It stands for everyone that we should reign in our social calendars a bit."
North Coast Public Health Unit (NCPHU) director Paul Corben echoed Mr Axford's comments and said NSW is at a critical point.
"People have seen what's happening in Victoria and other parts of the world, where there's not strong adherence to universal messages around how we minimise the impact of this pandemic," he said.
"We should all be minimising unnecessary travel and unnecessary outings to anywhere."
The North Coast Public Health Unit is urging people to take necessary health precautions when they do go out, including maintaining hand hygiene, practicing social distancing and wearing a mask in public if they can't uphold appropriate spacing.
People should stay at home if they are unwell and undertake a COVID-19 test.
"So that we can keep track of where the virus is," Mr Corben said.
Businesses in the Port Macquarie-Hastings are required to keep a list of who is coming into premises.
Mr Corben said this process is important for tracing, as it allows for the necessary follow up procedure to take place should an outbreak occur.
Mr Axford is staying home as much as he can and also works at a cafe on Grant Street.
Many of his friends live in different states and they catch up online while playing video games.
Mr Axford would love to see his grandparents more regularly but is staying away, as their age group is one of the most vulnerable when it comes to contracting the virus.
Outbreaks at aged care centres continue to be at the heart of Victoria's coronavirus crisis.
The rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Victorian aged care centres has prompted Port Macquarie-Hastings facilities to ensure strict health protocol is in place.
Mr Axford said the impact of the crisis on the mental health of people is just as concerning as the physical implications.
"A lot of people in my age group are losing their jobs and struggling with finances," he said.
"I think that's important to take into consideration as well."
To speak to a Lifeline crisis supporter phone 13 11 14. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information on how to remain COVID-19 safe, please visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
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