Regional NSW to stay in lockdown - chance to get to zero COVID cases in regions, Premier says

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said that he is "confident" that areas of NSW would come out of lockdown on Saturday, August 28.

Which areas get to exit lockdown and which won't will be decided on a local government area basis.

Whether or not an area comes out of lockdown is contingent on there being no new cases and no sewage detection of COVID fragments.

Mr Barilaro said a two week lockdown allows for an incubation period and more time for sewage detection.

"Having two weeks of data gives you more confidence to make decisions," he said.

Thursday, August 19, 11am

The MidCoast local government area, along with the rest of regional NSW, will remain under lockdown until at least August 28.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that at her daily COVID briefing this morning.

It was widely expected that Kempsey Shire, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Nambucca Valley would remain under an extended lockdown after a 14-year-old girl tested positive at Kempsey on Sunday after travelling to Newcastle.

However, the Premier said all of regional NSW would face an additional seven-day lockdown as a precautionary measure.

She noted there was a chance to "get down to zero cases" in the regions, despite outbreaks of coronavirus in the Hunter and Central West.

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In the Premier's briefing, highlight announcements included:

"Regional NSW will also remain in lockdown as a precaution for this time, there are vast areas of regional NSW where there are not any cases, but everybody would appreciate and expect us to take a precautionary response," Ms Berejiklian said.

Newcastle was the only Hunter local government area to add fresh cases in today's announcement, with all five of Hunter New England's fresh cases within the city.

Hunter New England Health said two were infectious in the community, two are linked to the aged care clusters, and all five are linked.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the numbers, like 25 new cases in western NSW, dictated the need for lockdown in the regions to roll on.

He also flagged additional cases in the Hunter since the 8pm cut-off for today's figures.

"Since the 8pm reporting period overnight we know that we've got more cases in western NSW, southern NSW ... and Hunter New England," he said.

"My message to everybody continues to be to make sure we stay vigilant."

Schooling will be done from home in most cases.

Masks must be worn indoors (not including the home) and in outdoor settings where you cannot socially distance from others. Anyone who leaves their home must carry a mask with them at all times.

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