Covid-19 Northern NSW: Nine new cases recorded

Lismore City Council has details how it will enforce roadmap restrictions from Monday October 11 as Northern NSW records more Covid-19 cases.

Northern NSW Health District acting chief executive Lynne Weir. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Lismore City Council has confirmed a range of restrictions under the NSW Government’s roadmap to reopen which will come into effect from Monday.

The council will restrict access to a range of its facilities, including pools and the council chambers, to those who haven’t received two Covid-19 vaccines.

This comes as nine new cases of the virus were confirmed within the Northern NSW Local Health District in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday.

Three people with Covid-19 in Northern NSW are being cared for in hospital, all of them in a stable condition.

The health district’s acting chief executive, Lynne Weir, said three of the new cases were in the Ballina local government area and were linked with an existing Alstonville cluster.

“One case is a household contact of a previously reported case and has been in self-isolation, while two cases are under investigation,” Ms Weir said.

“Two cases are in the Casino area of Richmond Valley local government area.”

Of the Casino cases, one is linked to the Kyogle cluster and the other is under investigation.

Three of the new cases are in the Kyogle local government area and all of those are household contacts of previously reported cases who have already been in self-isolation.

Ms Weir said one case was in the Byron local government area, a household contact of a previously reported case and had been in self-isolation.

“There have now been 57 total cases reported in Northern NSW since June 16 when the current Delta outbreak in Sydney began,” she said.

She said contact tracing to determine any venues of concern was under way.

“Contact tracing teams spend time talking with confirmed cases, checking history of whereabouts and assessing any exposure risks of public venues, including reviewing QR codes, Covid-safe business plans and CCTV footage where appropriate,” Ms Weir said.

Lismore City Council said in a statement people attending council facilities would need to provide proof of their vaccination status.

“There will be restrictions put in place for some people, depending on their Covid-19 vaccination status, to access Lismore City Council facilities and services from Monday October 11,” the council said.

“These changes are due to the State Government’s Covid-19 roadmap that council must implement.

“Council acknowledges that some people may not have had the opportunity to get their first and/or second vaccination, while others have chosen not to get vaccinated.”

People wanting to access the below facilities will need to show proof of double-vaccination or hold a medical contraindication certificate.

• Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre
  
• Switch 24/7 Gym
  
• Lismore Memorial Baths
  
• Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre and Nimbin Transfer Station
  
• The Lismore and Nimbin Revolve Shops
  
• Lismore Regional Gallery
• Family History and Research Centre at 6 Centenary Drive, Goonellabah
• The council’s corporate centre on Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah
• Council chambers

All libraries in the Richmond Tweed Regional Library network, including Lismore and Goonellabah, will offer click-and-collect only and will be closed to the public.

“Many local businesses must also introduce access restrictions,” the council said.

“Please remember at all times that both council and businesses are staffed by locals who are also going through the same as you.

“Always be kind and recognise they are simply doing what they have been told to do to keep our community safe.”

Find information on how to get your proof of vaccination here.

Testing clinics are continuing with extended hours in Grafton:

• Grafton Base Hospital, 184 Arthur Street, Grafton, open Friday, Saturday and

Sunday 7am – 7pm, then regular hours from

• Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Grafton South, Coles Complex, Shop 9, 4 Bent

Street, South Grafton. Open 7am – 4pm Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday.

Stay-at-home orders

Stay-at-home orders are in place for the Lismore local government area, the suburb of Casino, and Kyogle local government area until October 11.

“Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education if you can’t work or study at home,” Ms Weir said.

“Anyone with even the slightest symptoms should get tested as soon as they feel unwell.”