Essential travel under current Public Health Act orders allow people to go to the supermarket and pharmacy, go to and from work if you cannot work from home, go to medical appointments, or leave home for some brief exercise in your own neighbourhood.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller reminded the community travel and holidays are not essential at this time. "To help contain and slow the spread of COVID-19, we all have to work together and that means staying in our homes and our neighbourhoods for the time being.

"Travelling unnecessarily means risking further spread, particularly to smaller communities whose health systems will be put under immense pressure if the virus is introduced into their town. "Our message is clear - the safest thing you can do right now is to stay at home. Stay at home and save lives."

Locally Inspector Joanne Schultz Hunter Valley Police District said in relation to the people's behaviour, police are generally pleased with effort being made by the vast majority of the community to stay at home and maintain social distancing.

"We have spoken to a number of groups in town over the weekend and explained the requirements and why it is necessary and they have been generally cooperative," she said

"Also we would like to remind parents in the lead up to Easter and the school holidays that these restrictions apply to people of all ages including teenagers. Police will be continuing to patrol public places and shopping areas for the duration."

One issue that has arisen since the arrival of 'hibernation' rules is the question of car sharing or car pooling to get to and from work.

A Glencore spokesman said their sites have been communicating that it is our expectation that they practise social distancing whilst travelling to and from work. In particular, we have been encouraging people to limit the number of passengers in cars to two. This position is consistent with the following Federal and State government guidance.