Narrabri Shire to remain in lockdown

Narrabri Shire is among 38 NSW local government areas that will still be subject to stay-at-home orders.

The NSW government announced on Thursday morning that parts of the state deemed a low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days would emerge from lockdown at 12.01am on Saturday, September 11.

Restrictions will still remain in those areas released from lockdown to ensure the safety of regional communities, the NSW government said.

While Narrabri Shire will remain in lockdown, surrounding local government areas including Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree Plains and Warrumbungle will emerge from stay-at-home orders according to the information released by the government.

Walgett Shire, however, which has experienced some COVID exposure in the community, will remain in lockdown.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said unfortunately many regional LGAs will remain in lockdown due to COVID case numbers.

“This decision is based on NSW Health advice, and the LGAs which remain in lockdown will continue to be monitored and we will update those communities on a regular basis,” he said in a statement.

“My strong advice to everyone in regional NSW is to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Our communities need to continue to get vaccinated so that when NSW reaches 70 and 80 per cent, restrictions can ease significantly.”

Stay-at-home orders will remain in place in the following LGAs:
Bathurst, Bega, Blayney, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Central Coast, Central Darling, Cessnock, Dubbo, Dungog, Eurobodalla, Forbes, Gilgandra, Goulburn Mulwarre, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Mid-Western, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Narromine, Newcastle, Orange, Parkes, Port Stephens, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro, Upper Hunter, Walgett, Wingecarribee.

NSW recorded 1,405 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Two new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and 23 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 38,919.

NSW Health has been notified of the deaths of five people who had COVID-19. There have been 153 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since June 16, and 209 in total since the start of the pandemic.