Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has called on the community of Armidale to "stick together" and overcome the challenge of a pair of COVID-19 cases, as the city goes into seven days' lockdown.
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"This is now as serious as it gets for us," Adam Marshall said, on Saturday.
"We do not want to see those two cases grow, so the message is clear: stay at home, follow the rules and together we'll get this done!"
The city recorded its first two cases since April 2020 after a young woman brought the virus back from the Newcastle cluster.
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She infected another person in her household, and both cases are in isolation.
Anyone who visited the local government area since July 29, including every resident of the communities of Guyra and Armidale, are ordered into lockdown from Saturday evening at 5pm. The lockdown is scheduled to end at 12.01am on Sunday August 15.
"It's the news we all hoped never to hear, but it's happened, we officially now have two active COVID-19 cases in Armidale," Mr Marshall said.
"Like the Orange community before us recently, if we stick together and do this right - following the stay-at-home orders - we'll get through this in the next seven days.
"It's just another challenge we must, and will, overcome."
He said residents should stay home except for prescribed reasons like shopping for essentials, medical appointments, getting tested or vaccinated for COVID-19 or if they're an essential worker.
Residents cannot have visitors to their home, including family and friends.
Armidale schools will also close next week, he said.
Local coronavirus clinic testing hours have been extended.
Armidale Hospital testing clinic will operate from 9am to 5pm, every day of the week. Appointments are can be made by phoning 0427 923 080.
Laverty Pathology drive-through clinic at Armidale Airport will operate from 8am to 2.30pm this weekend. Appointments are NOT required.
"Anyone with even the mildest of symptoms, such as a runny nose or scratchy throat, must come forward for testing and self-isolate until they get their result," Mr Marshall said.
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Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
