Two NSW regions back in lockdown due to Covid-19 risk

Two more local government areas in regional NSW have been thrown back into lockdown due to rising fears of Covid-19.

Narromine in western NSW and Kyogle in the state’s Northern Rivers region will enter a snap lockdown from midnight on Thursday.

The local government areas will be under stay-at-home orders until October 11, with health officials attributing the decision to an “increased Covid-19 public health risk”.

There are eight active Covid-19 cases in Narromine – including two infections reported on Thursday, and four in Kyogle, according to NSW government figures.

The lockdown will also apply to anyone who has been in the Kyogle LGA since 21 September and the Narromine LGA since 28 September.

NSW Health announced the decision just after 6pm on Thursday.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the state will emerge from lockdown when the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target is met. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“Everyone in these LGAs 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,” the department said in a statement.

“NSW Health will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation with Covid-19 and will not hesitate to update its advice to protect the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW.”

Authorities are urging residents to come forward for testing and to be vaccinated against the virus.

October 11 is expected to be the date that stay-at-home orders lift for Greater Sydney and other locked down regions, when the 70 per cent double dose vaccination target is met.

Stay-at-home orders will be extended until October 11 for many other regional areas currently in lockdown.

The extension, announced earlier on Thursday, applies to the Bathurst Regional, Bourke, City of Broken Hill, Central Coast, City of Cessnock, Dubbo Regional, Eurobodalla, Goulburn Mulwaree, Kiama, City of Lake Macquarie, City of Lithgow, City of Maitland, City of Newcastle, Port Stephens, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, City of Shellharbour, City of Shoalhaven, and Wingecarribee LGAs

A seven-day lockdown was also announced for the Snowy Monaro LGA from 3pm on Thursday.

Originally published as Two NSW regions back in lockdown due to Covid-19 risk