A pub in NSW has been fined $5000 for breaching a public health order during the pandemic.

The Imperial Hotel in Armidale was issued the infringement after police found more than 30 “young people” not abiding to social distancing rules on Friday night.

Today the venue was issued with a $5000 fine for failing to comply with requirements of a Public Health Order – COVID-19.

New England Police District Commander, Superintendent Scott Tanner said people need to be aware they are putting venues and the public at risk.

“They’re putting the livelihoods of these businesses at risk, and if people don’t think it’s going to happen in our area, they only have to look at other regional areas that are being impacted.

“The parties that put this licensed premises at risk were young people whose behaviour was a display of recklessness, and if they think they’re immune to COVID-19, or to Public Health Orders, they can think again,” he said.

“Up until this stage we’ve been trying to work with the community and with licensed premises, but clearly that’s fallen on deaf ears so we have no other option than to enforce these Public Health Orders and we will continue to do so.”

At the weekend NSW Police shut down an illegal party in Sydney’s west, and intend to issue at least $60,000 worth of fines.

“It’s devastating and heart wrenching to see vision of activity like that which jeopardises everybody else,” Ms Berejiklian said today.