At around 8pm on July 4, two officers from the Mid North Coast Police District were conducting proactive inspections of licensed venues in Port Macquarie.

While walking through one premises officers observed a 52-year-old Port Macquarie man sitting at a poker machine without wearing a face mask, which is required under the current NSW public health order.

"The two officers engaged with the man and established he didn't have a suitable face covering with him," Inspector Martin Burke said.

"When officers attempted to obtain more information from the man he began arguing with the officers and when they informed the 52-year-old he would be ejected from the venue, he became volatile."

The 52-year-old man physically assaulted the officers before being removed from the premises and issued with a court attendance notice.

The two officers involved in the altercation received minor injuries from the incident.

The man was charged with four offences including:

Inspector Burke said police are reminding the public to comply with the current COVID-19 restrictions.

"Officers are out ensuring that members of the public are following the current NSW public health orders and will be taking a proactive approach to keeping the community safe," he said.

"We need everyone to comply with the restrictions and wear a face mask when inside a public venue unless they have a medical exemption."

The NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Gary Worboys, said in a press conference on Monday (July 5) that the main issue police are facing across the state is people refusing to wear masks in public venues.

"We have spoken about this over the last couple of days and there have been instances of people choosing not to wear masks when out in public," he said.

"People are reporting these offences and we are reminding the public to not become complacent."

Inspector Burke said local police are following-up reports of locals and visitors to the area who aren't complying with current health orders.

"We do encourage people who see others who aren't complying with restrictions to contact the Mid North Coast Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."

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