The worsening detection of COVID cases in NSW saw stay-at-home orders introduced for all of the state from Saturday evening.

While nearby regional areas including Tamworth, Armidale and Dubbo had recently been subject to lockdown measures, a surge in positive detections, including growing numbers in the Western Local Health District, saw the NSW government announce a stay-at-home for all regional areas in an effort to restrict the movement of people across the state.

Dubbo, in particular, has seen an increase in case numbers sparking concern about COVID’s arrival to regional NSW.

Previously, only metropolitan and heavily populated coastal communities had been impacted by the delta strain of the virus.

The stay-at-home order could be lifted for some regional areas from Sunday, depending on COVID spread and case numbers.

In a statement released at the weekend, NSW Health said people must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.

“They also cannot have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends,” a spokesperson said.

“People still can have one visitor at one time to fulfil carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but do not live together.

“All hospitality venues must be closed to the public, including pubs, restaurants and cafes, except for takeaway.”

As part of the order, retail premises are required to close except for:

  • Supermarkets and grocery shops.
  • Shops that predominantly sell food or drinks eg butchers, bakeries, fruit shops and delicatessens, but does not include restaurants or cafes.
  • Chemists and pharmacies.
  • Kiosks.
  • Shops that predominately sell office supplies, pet supplies, newspapers, magazines and stationery, alcohol, maternity and baby supplies, medical or pharmaceutical supplies.
  • Food and drink premises, but only to sell takeaway.
  • Cellar door premises, but only to sell takeaway.
  • Hardware and building supplies.
  • Landscaping material supplies.
  • Rural supplies.
  • Timber yards.
  • Garden centres and plant nurseries.
  • Vehicle hire premises, not including the premises at which vehicles are sold.
  • Shops that predominately carry out mobile phone repairs.

Service stations, banks, post offices, laundromats and drycleaners can remain open.

“Anyone who leaves their home must carry a mask with them at all times,” a NSW Health spokesperson said.

“They must be worn when working outdoors, by all school staff, by all people in outdoor markets, outdoor shopping strips, and in outdoor queues waiting for products such as coffee and food.

“Every employer across NSW must require their employees to work from home unless it is not reasonably practicable.

“It is a reasonable excuse to leave your home for work – but only if it is not practicable to work from home.

“NSW Health urges people to continue to present for testing with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms.”

A grace period applied to weddings and funerals in regional areas for Sunday.

From yesterday, small funerals and memorial services of 10 persons only (excluding the persons conducting the service) are permitted.

As part of the stay-at-home requirement, schools operate in an online learning environment.

In an update on the lockdown’s impact on education, Narrabri High School principal Dinos Charalambous said there would be minimal supervision on-site at the school for those students who cannot be educated at home.

“All students and families will be supported with learning from home materials and resources,” he said.

“If you are working from home, and your child is able to be educated from home, please keep them at home.

“We’d also like to remind you to download the NSW school updates app onto your phone, if you haven’t already done so, to receive the latest updates about the operational status of your child’s school.

“I want to thank all of our families for your support during this time. Please get in touch with your teacher to discuss any additional needs for your child or family to support you to learn from home.”

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