4 local government areas in New South Wales, Australia locked down after COVID-19 case

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Wigmore Arcade in Ballina, New South Wales.Image: User:Mickydee2066.

The local government areas of Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, the City of Lismore, and Richmond Valley in New South Wales, Australia were placed under stay-at-home restrictions effective at 6PM local time on Sunday, with residents only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons that include grocery and other essential shopping, medical appointments, vaccinations, and caring duties. The order is to remain effective until 12:01AM on August 17th.

The areas affected by the stay at home orders. Image: Gryllida, OpenStreetMap.

Case locations in NSW as of August 12, 08:04am. Image: NSW Health.

Case locations in NSW as of August 12, 08:04am. Zoomed in on the Byron Bay area. Image: NSW Health.

This follows the announcement of a COVID-19 case in the region – a man who had travelled to the Byron Shire from Sydney, also under such restrictions. New South Wales chief health officer Kerry Chant said the man, currently under treatment at Lismore Base Hospital, was “infectious in the community for a while”, and had “symptoms for several days”.

Mayor of Byron Shire Michael Lyon told residents “if anyone is not feeling well please, please go and get tested”, stating while information about the COVID-19 case is emerging, “…people should be making sure they are checking in with QR codes whenever they go into a shop or business, wearing a face mask and social distancing.” New South Wales recorded 283 cases of the coronavirus on Monday.