A group of roughly two dozen people gathered at Robertson Park opposite the Mudgee walk-in vaccine clinic at 9.30am.

According to police, the people in the group stated that they were gathered to voice their opposition to the present Public Health Orders. Police attended and spoke with the group and were advised that they were in breach of the current orders, and that they were required to supply their details to police before moving on from the park.

"During this interaction three women were arrested by Police and conveyed to Mudgee Police Station. The rest of the group dispersed from the park," Acting Inspector David Aitkin said.

"Police have issued 14 infringement notices as a result of today's gathering. All infringements relate to breaches of the Public Health Act."

Police said further infringement notices are likely to be issued as investigations continue.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said that the Mudgee protests were 'irresponsible'.

"These people would be protesting any day of the week on any number of issues, it's just so irresponsible of a very small number of people who put themselves out there, that put themselves at risk, their community at risk and put our officers at risk," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

"They don't know whether they've got COVID or not.

"We've heard from Scott [McLachlan, CEO of Western NSW LHD] every day about the symptoms, however small - it's often undetectable and yet they're out there in a group without a mask on, making police engage with them and putting everybody at risk, it's just appalling."

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