When will the Northern Rivers lockdown end?

More than 72 hours into a seven day lockdown, two mayors anxiously wait to learn where an infectious Rose Bay man visited on the Northern Rivers.

LOCKDOWN: When will get out lockdown is the big question for people in the LGAs of Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley. File Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP

The question on everyone’s lips is, “when will we get out of lockdown?”

“When will be given our get of jail free card?”

It’s more than 72 hours since four Northern Rivers local government areas – Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley – were cast into seven-day lockdown at 6pm on Monday August 9, after a 52-year-old Rose Bay man was admitted to Lismore Base Hospital with Covid-19.

NSW Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish said the actions of one person had created huge issues for the region, including a more intense lockdown between NSW and Queensland brought in on Thursday at 12,20pm.

“One person has buggered it up for everyone,” he said.

“I do hope that the lockdown is lifted at the earliest opportunity and we can get back to greater normalcy.

‘I think we are all very concerned about a longer extension.”

Mr McTavish said he had heard the Rose Bay man had visited the towns of Nimbin and Casino but had not received any Health Department confirmation.

“It just goes to show that what this fellow has done by circulating, is of substantial concern,” he said.

Lismore mayor Vanessa Ekins said while she understood how tired everyone was of the lockdown, it was more important to stay safe. .

“At this stage we still don't have any more information about if the Sydney family who brought Covid to the Northern Rivers, except that they have visited Nimbin or Casino,” she said.

“Apparently they visited Nimbin and Casino extensively and we have no information about what happened there and people in those communities are very nervous.”

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said she was hopeful the good behaviour by the majority of residents would be rewarded.

“We are nearly through day three of lockdown, and so far, so good,” she said.

“I can’t see us staying in lockdown longer than we need be.”

Ms Saffin praised the Northern Rivers community for adapting as best they can to the restrictions.

She said she hoped next Tuesday the community would be able to go back to moving around more freely, with more facilities and workplace back to normal.

“We are on a good trajectory but I don't want to crystal-ball gaze,” she said.

However, Richmond MP Justine Elliot said she was concerned that what she called “mismanagement” by the federal and state governments, could see the regions remain in lockdown for longer.

“It all depends on the health advice and how the contract tracing goes,” she said.

“We are in this mess because of the Prime Minister Scott Morrison not getting us the vaccines soon enough and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian not locking up properly.”

Ms Eliot said she understands why so many people in her electorate are fed up, even through they are complying with the stay-at-home orders.

“Lots and lots of people are telling us how angry they are,” she said.

“We need a border zone in place we would be safer aligned with Queensland than NSW.”

The Page MP Kevin Hogan was also contacted for comment.