A Sydneysider passed out at an illegal office birthday party and awoke to a $1,000 fine for breaching coronavirus restrictions.

The person was among seven fined after a tip-off alerted police to a gathering inside a small George Street office suite.

Inside, officers uncovered “birthday cake, alcoholic drinks, birthday food” and the person passed out on the floor, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said on Tuesday.

But police couldn’t find evidence of mask-wearing or a good reason to have a party.

All seven left the Sydney CBD party with $1,000 fines in hand for breaching the citywide lockdown restrictions.

Another of the 160 people fined in the 24 hours to Tuesday morning was a Merrylands man who travelled more than 30 kilometres to Bondi police station.

Told to leave the police station, the man was seen using gym equipment at the beach.

He ran from police but was chased down and fined.

“Every single day, we find people that clearly want to step outside the (public health) orders for selfish reasons,” Mr Worboys told reporters.

“They put the safety of themselves and the public at great risk.”

NSW recorded 78 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to Monday 8pm, reducing the three-day average to 85.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has called on Sydney residents to “do everything” to limit movement and interactions outside their house, including deferring non-essential healthcare, and avoiding chats with others while shopping.

AAP