The man was driving a Pantech truck when he was stopped at a random breath test site in Tamworth just after 11:30am on Friday, police confirmed.

The delivery driver gave officers an address in the Canterbury Bankstown local government area in Sydney, which is in strict lockdown as the city battles a growing COVID-19 outbreak.

He provided a negative COVID-19 test result, but police said the screening date was "well outside" of the 72 hours required under current health orders.

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The driver was issued with a $1000 penalty infringement notice (PIN) for breaching the health orders.

Oxley police then escorted the man to a COVID-19 testing site in Tamworth and he was swabbed for the virus, before officers directed the man to return to Sydney immediately.

Police have cracked down on public health order breaches across the region with a high visibility operation under way, telling the public the time for warnings is over.

During operations last weekend, Oxley police intercepted two drivers from the Greater Sydney area at Willow Tree, trying to slip through the net.

Police urge the public to report incidents of non-compliance with the public health orders to keep the community safe.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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