Four local government areas in the NSW North Coast has been ordered into a snap lockdown from 6pm on Monday. The Byron Bay, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina shires will be subject to stay-at-home orders for at least seven days, after a Sydney man travelled to the region and subsequently tested positive for Covid-19. The lockdown is due to end at 12.01am on Tuesday, August 17. Everyone who lives in the LGAs or anyone who has been there since July 31 will be subject to the same rules as those living in Greater Sydney and the other locked down areas in regional NSW. “We understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience and co-operation,” NSW Health said in a statement on Monday evening.

“We are asking people not to seek exceptions to the rules, but to ensure they comply with them so we do not see further cases of COVID-19 in the community.” The picturesque region was put on high alert earlier on Monday after the Sydney man was hospitalised with the virus. The man, who NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant confirmed was among Monday’s 283 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19, registered a positive test in the coastal region of northern NSW as the virus continues to spread across the state. Ballina Shire Council mayor David Wright said residents had been expecting the lockdown after Dr Chant’s morning announcement.

“Before the [lockdown] was announced, already at the local supermarket there was no bread or meat or anything left,” he said. Cr Wright said locals had “always feared” someone visiting the region – a popular holiday destination known for its laid back lifestyle – while infectious with Covid-19.

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