The new COVID restrictions set down by the NSW state government on Wednesday and enforced from 5pm that afternoon has seen its first test end in arrest at a local shopping centre.

A man has been charged after allegedly assaulting police, a security guard and members of the public, following an alleged breach of the Public Health Act in Lismore.

About 12.40pm today (Thursday 1 April 2021), a 47-year-old man entered the shopping centre and was stopped by security after he was identified as being in contravention of the current Public Health Order requiring facemasks to be worn at all indoor places.

The security guard offered the man a mask, before he was allegedly punched in the face and head multiple times.

Members of the public intervened, during which the man allegedly resisted and punched several people in the face and chest. A male bystander sustained bruising to his neck and face.

Officers from Richmond Police District attended and took custody of the man, who then allegedly kicked a male senior constable in the face, chest and hands.

Officers deployed OC spray; however, the man continued to resist and repeatedly kicked at police.

Following a brief struggle, the man was arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station, where he then allegedly bit a male senior constable numerous times on the hand and wrist while in custody.

Police again deployed OC spray to detain the man and the officer was taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.

The man was charged with two counts of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of resist officer in execution of duty, assault officer in execution of duty, affray, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, destroy or damage property and a detention application.

He was also issued a $1000 PIN for fail to comply notice/direction in relation to section 7/8/9 COVID-19.

The man was refused bail to appear at Lismore Bail Court tomorrow (Friday 2 April 2021).