All Hunter LGAs, including Port Stephens, entered a week-long snap lockdown at 5pm on Thursday, August 7 in response to rising COVID-19 cases in the region.

"As part of the local response, Port Stephens-Hunter Police District officers will be undertaking high-visibility proactive patrols, compliance checks on businesses and individuals, as well as responding to all Crime Stoppers reports," Port Stephens police stated.

"The Local Emergency Management Committees have been activated for Maitland, Port Stephens and Dungog LGAs, chaired by the Local Emergency Operations Controller.

"These LEMCs, comprising of representatives from government, council and welfare services.

"The committee will meet daily in a virtual environment to address the emerging and ongoing needs of the community."

Superintendent Chad Gillies, the Port Stephens-Hunter District commander and Local Emergency Operations Controller, said that while Port Stephens and Maitland was in a lockdown nearby Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest, which the district also polices, is in the Mid Coast Council LGA but residents needed to be aware of the requirements if they travel south.

"Our northern communities split by the Karuah River are in different LGAs, however you need to be aware that if you travel into the 'stay at home' area, then you are identified as an 'affected' person and must follow the same restrictions as the southern part of our district," he said.

"For example, if you work in Port Stephens but live in the Mid North Coast LGA, then you are subject to the same restrictions as the lower Hunter region. If you enter the 'stay at home' area for any purpose, you are required to follow the same restrictions as outlined in the Public Health Order.

"I understand this will be challenging for some residents; however, we need to work together at this point in time to ensure we can contain this outbreak as quickly as possible."

Restrictions are in place for the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock LGAs from until 12.01am Friday, August 13.

The restrictions apply to people who live in these LGAs, or who have visited the LGAs since Friday, July 31. The rules in place for these areas are the same that are already in place across Greater Sydney and the Central Coast.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: