No new Hunter cases as lockdown stays to September, Premier indicates 70 per cent double vaccination rate key to freedoms

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Thursday that the lockdown would last to at least midnight on Friday, September 10 and said a 70 per cent double vaccination rate would be the key to opening the state back up and residents enjoying freedoms.

"Given the acute situation in western NSW, in Dubbo in particular, the regional lockdown will be extended until at least midnight Friday, September 10," Ms Berejiklian said.

"We do appreciate that there are many communities in the regions that don't have any cases, that have never had any cases, and they're really wanting to come out of lockdown. But as a precaution, the health advice says we should extend the lockdown to all of regional NSW until midnight on Friday, September 10.

"NSW is calling on industry and citizens to get ready for when we are 70 per cent double vaccinated. That's when things will start to open.

"The condition of you participating in what we will be reopening is on you being vaccinated. When you start to opening at 70 per cent, there are certain activities only vaccinated people can do.

"If we continue to sprint towards vaccination, that 70 per cent double dose figure to arrive sometime in October. We're doing better than expected. Our timeframe for when we thought we'd get to 70 per cent double dose was the end of October. But given the rates of vaccination in our populations, that could be as early as mid-October.

"That's an important milestone that we can all look forward to.

"We're urging everyone to come forward and get vaccinated. Not only because you'll get freedom but we want to see those case numbers come down and we want to see the virus come under control. For those reasons it's really important to get vaccinated."

The state government said vaccination status could be proved by:

Residents with both doses of COVID vaccine will win new freedoms from September 13.

In the LGAs of concern (concentrated in Sydney), families will be able to enjoy an hour of recreation on top of exercise so long as the adults within the household are vaccinated. This hour of recreation could be sitting in the park or having a picnic.

For areas not of concern and regional NSW, such as Port Stephens, from September 13 five people from within the same LGA will be able to gather outdoors so long as the adults are fully vaccinated.

"We know people coming together is what people are missing the most," Ms Berejiklian said. "Whilst there are various options available, that's the option that met the mental health needs and wellbeing of our community but also provided the lowest risk."

More than 136,000 people across the state were vaccinated on Wednesday, with the state surpassing 6.2 million jabs.

In the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday, there was 1029 new cases of COVID recorded in NSW - the first time figures have surpassed 1000 in the current outbreak. South Western and Western Sydney comprise of more than 80 per cent of the cases.

While there are 700 close contacts of cases currently in isolation, no new cases were recorded in the HNEH district. The Hunter's first "donut day" since the outbreak began means there are 110 active cases in the health district.

"While zero cases is pleasing to see, it is important that everyone in the Hunter New England region remains vigilant and continues to monitor for symptoms, as there have been recent exposures and still hundreds of close contacts of COVID-19 cases," HNEH public health physician, Dr David Durrheim, said.

"It is also important that anyone who is currently isolating in the community with COVID-19, calls for an ambulance should they experience a deterioration in their condition, including breathlessness and dizziness."

While he said that the Hunter results were pleasing and "we've done a good job there", NSW deputy premier John Barilaro said the fight was far from over.

"We are on a knife edge in regional NSW," Mr Barilaro said. "The decision to extend the lockdown is one to protect the regions and protect communities. Now is the time to stay united."

The Premier said on Thursday that the NSW Government would announce its back to school plans on Friday.

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