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Arts Minister Don Harwin photographed shopping at Eastgardens Westfield in South Sydney on March 22.

The Sydney Morning Herald has confirmed he was shopping at Westfield Eastgardens shopping centre in Sydney’s south-east on March 22 - about 20 mins drive from his Sydney home in Elizabeth Bay.

A spokesman for Mr Harwin confirmed the Minister relocated to his Pearl Beach home on March 13,but returned to Sydney less than a week later on March 19th for"essential meetings".

Mr Harwin remained in Sydney for five days,squeezing in a shopping trip to Westfield Eastgardens before returning to Pearl Beach after a one-day special sitting of Parliament on March 24. He travelled to Sydney again on April 1 for one day to attend a doctor's appointment.

He rushed back to Sydney on Wednesday night after he was photographed at the coastal home,undermining Premier Gladys Berejiklian's message that people must not travel over the Easter long weekend.

Mr Harwin issued an apology on Thursday morning,as Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was"deeply disappointed"by his actions.

In a statement,Mr Harwin said he had been"working remotely"from his holiday home for"a number of weeks prior"to the public health orders coming into effect,which now prohibits all non-essential travel without a"reasonable excuse".

"I took advice from my department officials about the Public Health Order to ensure I adhered to the guidelines during this period,"said Mr Harwin,whose ministerial responsibilities include the arts,Aboriginal affairs as well as being Special Minister of State.

"While I was assured I was compliant with the guidelines I apologise to the Premier and the people of NSW."

The orders,which were implemented on March 31,state that moving"between different places of residence of the person"is a reasonable excuse for leaving the home.

Ms Berejiklian also apologised for Mr Harwin's actions,but said he had not broken the rules.

"I regret and apologise to everybody that someone from my team undertook this activity and the perception of it is not good,"Ms Berejiklian said.

"I was advised a few days ago that he decided to make that his principal place to live some three weeks ago.

Minister Don Harwin.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"Even though the perception is horrible,he stuck to the rules in terms of where he based himself because it was prior to the restrictions."

Ms Berejiklian ruled out sacking Mr Harwin,saying:"that is not my intent".

Ms Berejiklian has held daily press conferences to convey the message that people must stay home in order to limit the spread of coronavirus.

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